Credential Confusion: A Call for Uniformity in Practice and Terminology: Insights from A June, 2023 Survey
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| Title: | Credential Confusion: A Call for Uniformity in Practice and Terminology: Insights from A June, 2023 Survey |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mike Simmons, Noah Geisel, Mark McConahay, Wendy Kilgore, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) |
| Source: | American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). 2023. |
| Availability: | American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). One Dupont Circle NW Suite 520, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-293-9161; Fax: 202-872-8857; e-mail: pubs@aacrao.org; Web site: http://www.aacrao.org |
| Peer Reviewed: | N |
| Page Count: | 28 |
| Publication Date: | 2023 |
| Document Type: | Reports - Descriptive |
| Descriptors: | Credentials, Educational Practices, Definitions, Qualifications, Academic Degrees, Academic Records, Microcredentials, Recognition (Achievement), Innovation |
| Abstract: | Changes in hiring requirements, in particular a bachelor's degree, is rapidly changing for many learners. In order to make these changes successfully, higher education must come to an agreement on the terms used to describe and characterize these new assertions of learning, along with adopting a common mode of transport for these credentials. One of the ways it must adapt is by providing a skills-based assertion of a learning document. New credentials are needed to meet the changing needs and requirements of the workforce and the economy. Higher education already uses agreed-upon nomenclature for established credentials, such as associate's, bachelor's, master's degrees, and a transcript is the usual mode of transport for these credentials, however, in June 2023, AACRAO conducted a survey to determine if the terms for various credentials, referred to as innovative credentials in this report, are defined and used differently, based on their institutional context. The survey queried respondents about six terms: Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR), Learning and Employment Record (LER), Badges, Microcredential, Alternative Credentials, and Digital-Credential Wallet. The terms cover most of the ways innovative credentials and their digital means of transport are described and defined. The survey collected 322 responses from 48 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and five Canadian provinces. Responses serve as a valuable benchmark. They also provide direction for AACRAO in terms of how best to assist our members in understanding and navigating the evolving topic of the future state of learner records. The report includes key findings. |
| Abstractor: | ERIC |
| Entry Date: | 2024 |
| Access URL: | https://www.aacrao.org/signature-initiatives/learning-mobility/digital-credentials |
| Accession Number: | ED637446 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Changes in hiring requirements, in particular a bachelor's degree, is rapidly changing for many learners. In order to make these changes successfully, higher education must come to an agreement on the terms used to describe and characterize these new assertions of learning, along with adopting a common mode of transport for these credentials. One of the ways it must adapt is by providing a skills-based assertion of a learning document. New credentials are needed to meet the changing needs and requirements of the workforce and the economy. Higher education already uses agreed-upon nomenclature for established credentials, such as associate's, bachelor's, master's degrees, and a transcript is the usual mode of transport for these credentials, however, in June 2023, AACRAO conducted a survey to determine if the terms for various credentials, referred to as innovative credentials in this report, are defined and used differently, based on their institutional context. The survey queried respondents about six terms: Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR), Learning and Employment Record (LER), Badges, Microcredential, Alternative Credentials, and Digital-Credential Wallet. The terms cover most of the ways innovative credentials and their digital means of transport are described and defined. The survey collected 322 responses from 48 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and five Canadian provinces. Responses serve as a valuable benchmark. They also provide direction for AACRAO in terms of how best to assist our members in understanding and navigating the evolving topic of the future state of learner records. The report includes key findings. |
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