What are Microcredentials?

What are Micro-credentials?

Micro-credentials are compact units of competency-based learning usually completed within a short timeframe.

aligned

Framework

stackable

flexible

Digital credentials

accessible

JMG CompEtencies As Skills

Examining the Language

JMG CompEtencies As Micro-credentials

MAINE CAREER EXPLORATION MODEL

The Maine Career Exploration Model in the GenUS Learning Exchange

Below are important items and resources that will be useful as you utilize this framework in the GenUS Learning Exchange. Click the "info" button to learn more.

Evidence of Learning

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Lesson Plans

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Earning Credentials

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Credentials & Micro-credentials

EE

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Key

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Instructor Module

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Assignments

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Student View

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Maine Career Exploration Model Credentials

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Click the images below to learn about the structure of each Credential

10 hours of EE

2 hours of EE

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Maine Career Exploration Model Earning Digital Badges

When a student completes all "Evidence of Learning Assignments" for a competency, they earn a JMG Micro-credential in the form of a digital badge. For example, after submitting assignments for each skill in Professionalism (Verbal Communication, Written Communication, Attire, and Employer Expectations), they receive the Professionalism badge once graded via the Canvas rubric in the Submissions Course. Once all micro-credentials in a competency group are earned, the student can complete a final Evidence of Learning Assignment to receive the Credentiail for that group of competencies. For example, after earning all Job & Career Ready micro-credentials, the student is eligible for the Job & Career Ready Credential. As the Specialist, you are responsible for evaluating whether the student completed the Evidence of Learning Assignments satisfactorily and is eligible for the digital badge. Using the rubric associated with the assignment in the Micro-credential Submission Course will automatically award a badge to the student upon completion of the requirements.

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Maine Career Exploration Model Evidence of Learning

Evidence of Learning refers to the assignments learners submit to demonstrate their specific competencies or skills. This approach ensures that learners can concretely demonstrate their skills in real-world or practical contexts, which is central to the micro-credentialing process. These submissions serve as proof that the learner achieved competency in the skills aligned with the learning outcome in the rubric. Evidence of learning submissions can take various forms, such as written reflections, projects, presentations, videos, or other digital submissions. Submissions are evaluated against the corresponding rubric and validated by the specialist or instructor.

Grading

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Maine Career Exploration Model Assignments in Canvas

In addition to the Evidence of Learning Assignments in the Micro-credential Submission Course, some resources from Commons are also structured as assignments, indicated with a pencil ✏️. These are intended as formative assessments and are optional, at the Specialist's discretion. If a submission is published by the instructor, it set for online submission by default. If you prefer students submit their work manually, you'll need to change the assignment settings to "no submission" or "on paper." For more details on adjusting these settings, refer to this link.

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Maine Career Exploration Model Key

Each page in Canvas has an assignment symbol to help you and your students navigate throughout the course.

📄 🚫 Instructor Content: Lesson Plans and/or Resources for teachers (do not publish) 💡 Information: Resources and scaffolding to support student success in the module ✏️ Formative Assessment: A resource which the student will complete and turn in 🏋️‍♀️ Knowledge Check: An opportunity for the student to practice or review the skill or competency 🏅 Evidence of Learning: A summative assessment used to measure a skill and learning outcomes 🏋️‍♀️🏅Evidence of Learning Assignment Overview: Instructions for the Evidence of Learning 🟡 Employer Engagement: Requirement for earning some Credentials

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Maine Career Exploration Model Resources in Canvas Commons

Canvas Commons

Canvas Commons is a digital library within the GenUS Learning Exchange where instructors can import resources into Canvas courses. Using Commons is optional and at the discretion of the Specialist.

Asynchronous Resources

Within content courses in Commons, Specialists can find additional optional resources such as Google Docs, interactive slides, and videos. These resources consist of content designed to support students learn about, practice, and develop the skills required to demonstrate the competency. Whether and how you utilize these resources is up to you as the instructor. For instructions on how to pull a course from Commons, follow this link:

Printing

If you choose to print the lesson plans, please be aware they are updated on occasion, with the date of the last revision noted in the footnote of the lesson plan document. Be sure to check the digital version of the lesson plan in the GenUS Learning Exchange module for the most up-to-date version.

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Maine Career Exploration Model Student View

To view the course as a student from a Teacher account, use the "Student View" button, located in the upper right-hand corner on each page of the course.

GenUS Learning Exchange Resources for Students

Shown as Canvas Resources for Students, these will be useful to you as the teacher and to students who may need support using the GenUS Learning Exchange.

Link

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JMG Micro-credential Submissions Course

JMG CompEtencies As Micro-credentials

Getting StaRted

JMG MicRO-CREDENTIAL SUBMISSIONS

EXPLORE OPTIONAL RESOURCES

PACING GUIDE

PILOT GrOUPS

SEMESTER PLANNING

MAINE CAREER EXPLORATION MODEL

Flexible

Micro-credentials offer flexible, modular learning that allows students to focus on specific skills or knowledge areas at their own pace.

This approach enables instructors to support learning experiences that meet the unique needs and goals of each student. By earning micro-credentials, students can build a personalized portfolio of expertise, gaining qualifications that align with their individual academic or career aspirations. This flexibility makes micro-credentials an adaptable option for a wide range of learners.

Framework

Micro-credentials provide a framework for measuring skills.

Micro-credentials provide a structured framework for recognizing specific competencies, awarding digital badges or certificates upon completion. This framework ensures that students can systematically develop and demonstrate targeted skills, which are validated through clear criteria. By earning micro-credentials, students build a portfolio of qualifications that highlight their expertise and readiness for future academic or career opportunities.

Canvas Commons

Explore the resources available in the content course in Canvas Commons for the framework you are piloting

These courses include optional lesson plans and resources to support the development of skills and competencies. Please note: Additional resources are being developed at this time. This link guides Specialists through how to pull a resource from Commons.

Stackable

Microcredentials are stackable, allowing students to build a personalized learning pathway by earning credentials in a variety of topics.

Each microcredential acts as a building block, enabling learners to develop a broad set of skills tailored to their specific goals. This stackable nature makes it possible for students to customize their education, creating a comprehensive portfolio that reflects their unique expertise and career aspirations.

Analogy

Diploma + Transcript = Proof of Academic Journey Digital Badges + Metadata = Proof of Skills

The metadata behind a digital badge acts as a record of achievement, similar to how a transcript reflects what was learned in a course. While diplomas provide an overall picture of education, digital badges break down that education into bite-sized, tangible skills. Together, they offer a comprehensive view of a learner's abilities, blending traditional credentials with modern, skill-based recognition.

JMG Microcredential Submissions Course and Evidence of Learning Assignments

What are you already doing that might serve as evidence of learning for skills and competencies?

Explore the course in your Canvas dashboard and collaborate within pilot groups to discuss what you are already doing that might meet the requirements of demonstrating skills related to competencies.

Aligned

Micro-credentials are closely aligned with competencies and the growing trend of skills-based hiring, as they focus on validating specific skills that are directly relevant to the job market.

Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who can demonstrate concrete abilities, and micro-credentials provide a clear way to showcase these competencies. By earning micro-credentials, students can align their qualifications with industry needs, making themselves more competitive in the workforce. This alignment ensures that micro-credentials remain a valuable asset in today’s skills-driven economy.

Digital Credentials

Micro-credentials come with digital badges or certificates, providing verifiable, shareable, and portable recognition of skills and achievements.

These digital badges can be easily shared online, making it simple for students to showcase their qualifications to employers or educational institutions. The portability of these credentials ensures that students can carry their achievements with them, enhancing their visibility and credibility in various professional or academic settings.

Accessible

Micro-credentials make skill acquisition more accessible by allowing students to gain specific competencies without the need for long-term commitments.

They provide a flexible and focused learning experience, enabling students to quickly develop expertise in targeted areas. This accessibility allows learners to build their qualifications in a manageable and efficient way, making it easier to pursue academic or career goals on their own terms.

Grading an EoL Submission

• Indicate a rating of Complete (1) or Incomplete (0) on the associated rubric within the assignment by clicking on the appropriate box.
• Click Save.
• Enter the grade (1 or 0) into the grade box above the rubric if it does not auto-populate.
• Leave a comment in the feedback window.
• Click Submit.
• An email with the badge information will be sent to the student once they have satisfied all of the requirements to earn the badge.
• If the learner did not successfully demonstrate the skill, note why in the comments, score as incomplete (0) and reassign the assignment.

Getting Started and Pacing Guide Documents

Review the documents together and begin preparing your Canvas courses. Ask questions!