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Microcredential Training Workshop

 

Microcredentials Application

Dal Microcredentials are credentials that represent the achievement of specific skills or competencies, which are highly regarded by employers and have been validated by Dalhousie University.

There are three defining characteristics of a Dal Microcredential:

  1. They represent a skill or competency that is highly regarded by employers and/or professionals in the field.
  2. They represent the overall skill or competency achievable within a learning experience.
  3. They are earned by successfully completing a competency-based assessment that evaluates the demonstration of that skill or competency.

Learners should leave these learning experiences confident in their ability to both communicate and demonstrate their skills and competencies.

For additional support or information contact us at micro@dal.ca

About The Learning Experience

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This is the name of the faculty, unit, or partner organization that is responsible for the learning experience in which this microcredential will be earned.

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This is the name of the course/learning experience in which the microcredential is earned. The microcredential name may be different than the name of the course/program/module as it is representative of a skill or competency within that learning experience.

Overview of the Microcredential

Next you will need to indicate the microcredential name, as well as the badge ‘display’ name. The microcredential name and the badge ‘display’ name do not have to match the name of the learning experience/course.

The following are examples that show the difference between the Microcredential Name and Badge Name:

  • Program Design for Adult Learners represents the skill/competency and is therefore the Microcredential Name. However, this is too long for the badge name, so the badge name is “Program Design”.
  • Strategic Problem Solving for Leaders represents the skill/competency and is therefore the Microcredential Name. However, this is too long for the badge name, so the badge name is “Strategic Solutions”.
  • Fish Health Assessment and Diagnostic Procedures represents the skill/competency and is therefore the Microcredential Name. However, this is too long for the badge name, so the badge name is “Fish Health & Diagnostics”.
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This is the full name that describes your microcredential and should represent the overall skill/competency achievable in the learning experience. This will not be printed on the digital badge image but will be displayed at the top of the page when someone clicks on the badge image to see the details of the microcredential. It should be obvious from this name precisely what the microcredential represents.

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This is the name that will appear on the digital badge representing your microcredential. The badge name is limited to 25-characters.  When interested parties click on the badge, it will open to display the Microcredential name you selected in the above field.

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This is a description of the skill or competency achieved. This should describe what the individual is capable of, or competent in doing. Keep this focused on the learner. This description should begin with the phrase:          

  • Earners of the [microcredential name] have demonstrated…
  • Earners of the [microcredential name] are competent in…
  • Earners of the [microcredential name] can…

Associated Skill Tags (3 required) 

Associated Skill Tags are keyword phrases (1 – 3 words) that describe general skills represented in this credential. Examples of skill tags might be, “Webpage Development”, “Presentation Skills”, or “Classroom Management”.

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MICROCREDENTIAL VALIDATION (See Dal Microcredential Approval Rubric)


Requirement 1: Alignment with Employers/Industry/Professionals


This Dal Microcredential offers some assurance that the skill/competency is needed by employers/sectors/professionals. This has been established in the following way(s):


Please select all that apply:

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 A subject matter expert/professional identified skills or competencies and/or performance expectations most in-demand in their field of expertise
 Alignment was made with industry/professional competency frameworks
 There is alignment with CEU credits or professional development hours related to this sector/employer
 Applicant consulted with 2 or more professionals/employers to understand skill/competency gaps and expected proficiency levels
 Applicant consulted with one professional group, or sector/trade group to understand any new performance expectations or education/training needs
 Business, industry, NGO, or government engaged with Dalhousie for training (reskilling or upskilling) for existing employee group
 Labour market data indicated a skills gap/need in a sector/industry
 A consultation session was hosted by Dal with 3 or more sector/industry partners to identify proficiency levels
 Other: (Please explain in text box)


Requirement 2: Microcredential Design

 


The following questions under this requirement (section) are optional and specific to Group A Microcredentials (see the Dal Microcredential Approval Rubric)

 
 Non-graded exercises
 Multiple opportunities for practice
 Peer learning
 The integration of UDL principles
 Cultural practices
 Two or more attempts to demonstrate the skill for the final assessment
 Other:
 


Requirement 3: Microcredential Assessment

This section describes the competency-based assessment used for the microcredential.  The viewers of the microcredential should have a sense of the rigor, requirements, and evidence gathered.

a) Assessment Description:

The assessment description should clearly state:

  • What action(s) the learner had to successfully complete 
  • The performance expectations (the extent to which they had to demonstrate the skill or competency)
  • How the actions were evaluated, and
  • Who evaluated them.

The assessment description must begin with the phrase: “Earners of this microcredential…” and then describe what they have done. 

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b) URL to Assessment (optional): 

If you have a URL that links to a description of the assessment enter it in this field. If you do not have a URL for the required assessment, leave blank. 

 


c) Standards (optional):


Please link any relevant third-party external standards or competency frameworks if applicable.

 

Other Information


a) Level of Microcredential

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 This particular microcredential is the only microcredential being created related to this competency/skill
 This particular microcredential is part of a series of microcredentials being developed that are differentiated by levels. - Check this only if the microcredential represents a specific level in a series (Foundational, Intermediate, Advanced). If you choose Foundational, there must be plans to create subsequent microcredentials at higher levels. The badges for leveled microcredentials are differentiated by colour.
 
 Foundational
 Intermediate
 Advanced


b) Time Commitment:

 
 Years
 Months
 Weeks
 Days
 Hours


c) Expiration Dates (optional):

 
 Yes
 No
 
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Key terms:

  • Competencies: The combination of knowledge, skills, awareness and attitude that enable learners to perform tasks effectively
  • Competency-based assessment: Measuring learner performance against a set of criteria or standards
  • Dal Microcredential: Dal Microcredentials are credentials that represent the achievement of specific skills or competencies, which are highly regarded by employers and have been validated by Dalhousie University.
  • Evidence: Valid and authentic documentation (typically generated through an assessment) that shows demonstration of skill.
  • Skill: A capability achieved through a practical or hands-on experience.

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