Penn State College of Engineering Micro-Credential Development, Evaluation, and Standardization

Robin Havens Tate; Casey J Fenton; David Mazyck

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Conference: ASEE Zone 1 Conference - Spring 2023
Location: State College,, Pennsylvania
Publication Date: March 30, 2023
Start Date: March 30, 2023
End Date: April 12, 2023
Tagged Topic: Diversity
Page Count: 6
DOI: 10.18260/1-2--45073
Permanent URL: https://peer.asee.org/45073
Download Count: 65

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Robin Havens Tate Penn State University

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Dr. Tate is The Director of Professional Programs Outreach and an Assistant Teaching Professor for the School of Engineering Design, Technology, and Professional Program at Penn State University's College of Engineering. Her research interests include the

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Casey J Fenton The Pennsylvania State University

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David Mazyck Pennsylvania State University

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Abstract

Penn State College of Engineering Micro-Credential Development, Evaluation, and Standardization

Robin Havens Tate, David W. Mazyck, and Casey Felton The Pennsylvania State University

Abstract

Purpose: This project is a cutting-edge initiative presented for the “Work in Progress” category. Penn State is the flagship and land-grant university for the State of Pennsylvania and therefore has an active outreach program serving Pennsylvania industry and citizens that has expanded in scope nationally and internationally over the years. Penn State is now evaluating how micro-credentials can be used to strengthen educational experiences and provide upskilling for its students and working professionals. The School of Engineering Design and Innovation (SEDI) in the College of Engineering (COE) is responsible for leading professional development instruction for engineers and others working in technical fields. As has become evident, particularly over the last decade, education and training pedagogies and delivery processes have changed dramatically. Currently, learners of all ages clamor for more flexibility in training. The traditional educational approach of full degrees in a discipline is being supplemented, and in some cases replaced, by shorter, focused training in specific skills sets. Micro-credentials are evidence of skills achieved and knowledge acquired. The International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) defines a micro-credential as a certification of assessed learning that is additional, alternate, complementary to or a component part of a formal qualification. Stackable credentials resulting in micro-credentials are also on the rise. These offerings range from 100% on-line to a mix of face-to-face interactions over short periods of time (e.g., workshops that are 2 to 5 days). The delivery of most short courses, often advertised as fast tracking your career, preparing students to be work-force ready, short programs, or mini-skills are mainly asynchronous.

Methods: The project goal is to develop a micro-credential program whereby learners would take three short courses (e.g., entrepreneurship, leadership, and intellectual property) culminating in a micro-credential. Unlike most short courses and micro-credentials offered throughout the nation, which are asynchronous, the foundation of these short courses will be hybrid (both synchronous and asynchronous). Each short course will be 15-hours in duration with a minimum of eight hours of synchronous learning. The additional seven instructional hours will be learners reviewing supplemental reading and working on assignments (e.g., proforma development, business plans). The synchronous formats provide learners the opportunity to engage with faculty and subject matter experts in a live collaborative format. These sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the Penn State learning management system so that those unable to join synchronously can watch when most convenient. To ensure a sense of cohesion and processes for adherence to standardization and quality measures, agile policies and procedures beginning from micro-credential proposal to micro-credential deployment and post-course evaluation would ideally be created and implemented by stakeholders.

Conclusions: The School of Engineering Design and Innovation micro-credentials project is currently in development and will be piloted during the spring and summer of 2023. Best practices and lessons learned so far will be shared in our proposed Work in Progress paper.

Keywords: micro-credentials, stackable credentials, short courses, hybrid, upskilling

Citation
Format

Tate, R. H., & Fenton, C. J., & Mazyck, D. (2023, March), Penn State College of Engineering Micro-Credential Development, Evaluation, and Standardization Paper presented at ASEE Zone 1 Conference - Spring 2023, State College,, Pennsylvania. 10.18260/1-2--45073

TY - CPAPER
AB - Penn State College of Engineering Micro-Credential Development, Evaluation, and Standardization

Robin Havens Tate, David W. Mazyck, and Casey Felton
The Pennsylvania State University

Abstract

Purpose: This project is a cutting-edge initiative presented for the “Work in Progress” category. Penn State is the flagship and land-grant university for the State of Pennsylvania and therefore has an active outreach program serving Pennsylvania industry and citizens that has expanded in scope nationally and internationally over the years. Penn State is now evaluating how micro-credentials can be used to strengthen educational experiences and provide upskilling for its students and working professionals. The School of Engineering Design and Innovation (SEDI) in the College of Engineering (COE) is responsible for leading professional development instruction for engineers and others working in technical fields. As has become evident, particularly over the last decade, education and training pedagogies and delivery processes have changed dramatically. Currently, learners of all ages clamor for more flexibility in training. The traditional educational approach of full degrees in a discipline is being supplemented, and in some cases replaced, by shorter, focused training in specific skills sets. Micro-credentials are evidence of skills achieved and knowledge acquired. The International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED) defines a micro-credential as a certification of assessed learning that is additional, alternate, complementary to or a component part of a formal qualification.
Stackable credentials resulting in micro-credentials are also on the rise. These offerings range from 100% on-line to a mix of face-to-face interactions over short periods of time (e.g., workshops that are 2 to 5 days). The delivery of most short courses, often advertised as fast tracking your career, preparing students to be work-force ready, short programs, or mini-skills are mainly asynchronous.

Methods: The project goal is to develop a micro-credential program whereby learners would take three short courses (e.g., entrepreneurship, leadership, and intellectual property) culminating in a micro-credential. Unlike most short courses and micro-credentials offered throughout the nation, which are asynchronous, the foundation of these short courses will be hybrid (both synchronous and asynchronous). Each short course will be 15-hours in duration with a minimum of eight hours of synchronous learning. The additional seven instructional hours will be learners reviewing supplemental reading and working on assignments (e.g., proforma development, business plans). The synchronous formats provide learners the opportunity to engage with faculty and subject matter experts in a live collaborative format. These sessions will be recorded and uploaded to the Penn State learning management system so that those unable to join synchronously can watch when most convenient. To ensure a sense of cohesion and processes for adherence to standardization and quality measures, agile policies and procedures beginning from micro-credential proposal to micro-credential deployment and post-course evaluation would ideally be created and implemented by stakeholders.

Conclusions: The School of Engineering Design and Innovation micro-credentials project is currently in development and will be piloted during the spring and summer of 2023. Best practices and lessons learned so far will be shared in our proposed Work in Progress paper.

Keywords: micro-credentials, stackable credentials, short courses, hybrid, upskilling

AU - Robin Havens Tate
AU - Casey J Fenton
AU - David Mazyck
CY - State College,, Pennsylvania
DA - 2023/03/30
PB - ASEE Conferences
TI - Penn State College of Engineering Micro-Credential Development, Evaluation, and Standardization
UR - https://peer.asee.org/45073
DO - 10.18260/1-2--45073
ER -