View in EDS

Tech Level-Ups: Technology-Based Micro-Credential Program as a Novel Approach to K-12 Professional Development

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Tech Level-Ups: Technology-Based Micro-Credential Program as a Novel Approach to K-12 Professional Development
Language: English
Authors: Timothy Chang (ORCID 0009-0002-3636-7376)
Source: International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology. 2025 13(6):1662-1679.
Availability: International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya, 42090, Turkey. e-mail: ijermst@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijemst.net/index.php/ijemst/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 19
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Technology Uses in Education, Microcredentials, Elementary School Teachers, Secondary School Teachers, Faculty Development, Educational Technology, Action Research, Teacher Attitudes, Satisfaction, Competency Based Teacher Education
ISSN: 2147-611X
Abstract: While professional development (PD) is an important part of teachers' professional growth, current PD formats are often perceived as irrelevant or too brief to significantly impact teaching practices. This mixed-methods actionresearch study evaluated a four-session, beginner-level fabrication-technology micro-credential (MC) program delivered to 102 distinct teachers across four cohorts. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize teacher demographics and self-reported comfort with fabrication technologies. Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to compare post-session ratings of pacing, relevance, facilitator quality, and overall satisfaction across cohorts. Open-ended comments were thematically coded to capture perceived utility and classroom transfer. Participants included teachers from elementary (41.9%), middle (27.5%), and high school (20.6%) grades, with the remainder teaching multiple grades. The median comfort level with fabrication tools increased from "beginner" to "intermediate" over the sessions, while satisfaction levels remained consistently high. Differences in overall satisfaction among the cohorts were not statistically significant, H = 3.29, p = 0.35. Qualitative themes emphasized the importance of hands-on training, iterative practice windows between meetings, and facilitator feedback loops. The findings support the MC design principles of self-direction, job embedding, and competency-based assessment as effective solutions to common PD challenges. Implications include actionable steps for other MC programs and districts to support teachers.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1491113
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1491113
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1491113
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Tech Level-Ups: Technology-Based Micro-Credential Program as a Novel Approach to K-12 Professional Development
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Timothy+Chang%22">Timothy Chang</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0009-0002-3636-7376">0009-0002-3636-7376</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Education+in+Mathematics%2C+Science+and+Technology%22"><i>International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology</i></searchLink>. 2025 13(6):1662-1679.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology. Necmettin Erbakan University, Ahmet Kelesoglu Education Faculty, Meram, Konya, 42090, Turkey. e-mail: ijermst@gmail.com; Web site: https://www.ijemst.net/index.php/ijemst/index
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 19
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Uses+in+Education%22">Technology Uses in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Microcredentials%22">Microcredentials</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Elementary+School+Teachers%22">Elementary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Teachers%22">Secondary School Teachers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Faculty+Development%22">Faculty Development</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Technology%22">Educational Technology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Action+Research%22">Action Research</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Attitudes%22">Teacher Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Satisfaction%22">Satisfaction</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Competency+Based+Teacher+Education%22">Competency Based Teacher Education</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2147-611X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: While professional development (PD) is an important part of teachers' professional growth, current PD formats are often perceived as irrelevant or too brief to significantly impact teaching practices. This mixed-methods actionresearch study evaluated a four-session, beginner-level fabrication-technology micro-credential (MC) program delivered to 102 distinct teachers across four cohorts. Descriptive statistics were utilized to summarize teacher demographics and self-reported comfort with fabrication technologies. Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to compare post-session ratings of pacing, relevance, facilitator quality, and overall satisfaction across cohorts. Open-ended comments were thematically coded to capture perceived utility and classroom transfer. Participants included teachers from elementary (41.9%), middle (27.5%), and high school (20.6%) grades, with the remainder teaching multiple grades. The median comfort level with fabrication tools increased from "beginner" to "intermediate" over the sessions, while satisfaction levels remained consistently high. Differences in overall satisfaction among the cohorts were not statistically significant, H = 3.29, p = 0.35. Qualitative themes emphasized the importance of hands-on training, iterative practice windows between meetings, and facilitator feedback loops. The findings support the MC design principles of self-direction, job embedding, and competency-based assessment as effective solutions to common PD challenges. Implications include actionable steps for other MC programs and districts to support teachers.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1491113
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1491113
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 19
        StartPage: 1662
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Microcredentials
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Teachers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Faculty Development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Technology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Action Research
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Satisfaction
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Competency Based Teacher Education
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Tech Level-Ups: Technology-Based Micro-Credential Program as a Novel Approach to K-12 Professional Development
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Timothy Chang
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2025
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2147-611X
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 13
            – Type: issue
              Value: 6
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal of Education in Mathematics, Science and Technology
              Type: main
ResultId 1