Did you know?
A
Add-on
microcredentials that supplement or complement existing qualifications or degrees.
Glossary
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The use of computer algorithms and technologies to simulate human intelligence, used in micro-credential platforms for personalized learning pathways and assessment.
Glossary
Assessment
The process of gathering and evaluating evidence to determine a learner’s level of achievement against specified learning outcomes.
Glossary
Attitude
Attitudes describe the disposition and mind-sets to act or react to ideas, persons or situations.
Glossary
Authenticity
Verification of the learner’s identity and the legitimacy of their microcredential.
Glossary
Awarding Body
Has the recognition to confer qualifications, including microcredentials. They set the standards, assessments, and issue the final certification.
Glossary
B
Badge
A digital credential that represents a specific skill or accomplishment, often awarded through a microcredential program.
Glossary
Behavioural competencies
Behavioural competencies are the bridge between the “who” (technical skills) and the “how” (behaviours) within your organization.
Glossary
Blended Learning
A mix of online and face-to-face learning methods.
Glossary
Blockchain Technology
A decentralized, distributed ledger technology that records transactions and data in a secure and transparent manner.
Glossary
Bloom’s Taxonomy
Bloom’s Taxonomy is a framework for classifying learning objectives into six levels: Remember, Understand, Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, and Create, progressing from basic to complex thinking skills.
Glossary
C
Centralized Ledger
A ledger maintained in a single location, typically by a central authority.
Glossary
Certification
The formal recognition of an individual’s achievement of specific learning outcomes through a micro-credential.
Glossary
Competency
A demonstrable combination of knowledge, skills, and behaviours required to perform a specific task or role.
Glossary
Competency-Based Education
An approach focusing on the demonstration of skills and knowledge rather than time spent in education.
Glossary
Continuous Improvement
The ongoing process of refining the assessment process and updating criteria based on feedback and industry trends.
Glossary
Credential Transparency
Clear and accessible information on a microcredential’s learning outcomes, assessment, and recognition.
Glossary
Credential holder
A person holding any license, permit, certificate or registration granted by the department or any board; MC holder
Glossary
D
Digital Badge
A digital representation of a microcredential that can be stored and shared electronically.
Glossary
Digital Wallet
A secure digital platform for storing and managing digital credentials, including microcredentials.
Glossary
Distributed Ledger
A ledger shared across multiple participants in a network, increasing transparency and security.
Glossary
E
Earner
The earner is the student who by providing evidences can earn a microcredential
Glossary
E-Learning
Learning conducted via electronic media, typically on the Internet.
Glossary
Endorsing Body
Recommend or support individuals or organizations based on their expertise and potential. They don’t necessarily issue the qualification themselves, but their endorsement adds credibility
Glossary
ESCO (European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations)
A multilingual classification of European skills, competences, qualifications, and occupations.
Glossary
European Qualifications Framework (EQF)
A framework that facilitates comparability and recognition of qualifications across European countries.
Glossary
Evidence
refers to the tangible proof that a learner has achieved the specific skills and knowledge outlined in the microcredential’s learning outcomes. It’s the material that learners submit to demonstrate their competency and mastery of the skills they’ve acquired.
Glossary
F
Formal Learning
Structured learning that takes place in traditional educational institutions and leads to recognized qualifications.
Glossary
I
Informal Learning
Unstructured learning that occurs through everyday experiences, such as self-directed learning or on-the-job training.
Glossary
ISC (International Skills Catalogue)
A comprehensive database of skills and competencies, used to map and compare microcredentials.
Glossary
ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
A comprehensive database of skills and competencies, used to map and compare microcredentials.
Glossary
Issuing Organisation
An issuing organisation is the entity responsible for formally granting or conferring the micro-credential
Glossary
K
Knowledge
Knowledge is composed of the facts and figures, concepts, ideas and theories which are already established and support the understanding of a certain area or subject.
Glossary
L
Labour market intelligence (LMI)
LMI is the information a person needs to make decisions about their future. It includes information about planning a career, work-related options and the types of training and education necessary for specific jobs.
Glossary
Learning Outcome
A measurable statement of what a learner should know, understand, or be able to do as a result of completing a learning experience.
Glossary
Learning Pathways
Flexible routes that allow learners to achieve recognized qualifications through different learning experiences.
Glossary
Learning Experience Design (LXD)
a way of creating learning experiences that achieve the desired learning outcome in a way that is human-centered and goal-oriented.
Glossary
Lifelong Learning
The continuous acquisition of knowledge and skills throughout one’s life.
Glossary
M
Machine Learning
A type of AI that allows computers to learn from data without explicit programming, used for data analysis and predictive modeling in micro-credential systems.
Glossary
Memorandum of Understanding
is a formal but not legally binding agreement between two or more parties outlining the terms of their collaboration. It serves as a mutual acknowledgment of shared goals and intentions for cooperation, often as a preliminary step towards a more formal agreement.
Glossary
Microcredential
A microcredential is the record of the learning outcomes that a learner has acquired following a small volume of learning
Glossary
Modular Learning
A flexible learning approach where smaller learning units can be combined into a larger qualification.
Glossary
N
National Qualification Framework (NQF)
A country-specific system for classifying and recognizing qualifications.
Glossary
NFT (Non-Fungible Token)
A unique digital asset that represents ownership of a specific item, used to issue verifiable and tamper-proof microcredentials.
Glossary
Non-formal Learning
Organized learning outside of the formal education system, such as workplace training or community courses.
Glossary
Notional Workload
The estimated time required to complete a microcredential, often measured in ECTS credits.
Glossary
O
O*NET (Occupational Information Network)
A free online database that provides comprehensive information on occupations.
Glossary
Ontology
A system for classifying and defining concepts and relationships within a specific domain, used to structure micro-credential frameworks.
Glossary
Open Badge
A type of digital badge that is freely available and can be earned by anyone who meets the specified criteria.
Glossary
P
Proctoring
Supervised assessment to ensure the integrity and authenticity of the learner’s work.
Glossary
Q
Quality Assurance
The process of ensuring that a microcredential meets established quality standards.
Glossary
R
Recognition
The acceptance of a microcredential by educational institutions, employers, or industry bodies as proof of skills and competencies.
Glossary
Referencing
The process of aligning microcredentials with recognized standards, frameworks, or qualifications.
Glossary
Reskilling
The process of learning new skills or adapting existing skills to transition to a different career or industry.
Glossary
S
Self-Paced Learning
A learning method where the learner controls the speed and progression of their education.
Glossary
Skills
Skills are defined as the ability and capacity to carry out processes and use the existing knowledge to achieve results.
Glossary
Skills Databases
Centralized repositories of information on skills, competencies, and qualifications.
Glossary
Skills Gap
The difference between the skills required by the labour market and those possessed by workers.
Glossary
Stackability
The ability to combine multiple microcredentials into larger credentials or qualifications.
Glossary
Stackable
Refers to the ability to combine multiple microcredentials to achieve a higher level of qualification or demonstrate broader expertise.
Glossary
T
Transversal knowledge, skills and competences (ESCO)
Often referred to as core skills, basic skills or soft skills, the cornerstone for the personal development of a person. Transversal knowledge, skills and competences are the building blocks for the development of the “hard” skills and competences required to succeed on the labour market.
Glossary
U
Unbundling
The process of breaking down traditional educational programs into smaller, more focused microcredentials.
Glossary
Upskilling
The process of acquiring new skills or upgrading existing skills to remain competitive in the workplace.
Glossary
UX Experience
The overall experience a user has when interacting with a product or service.
Glossary
V
Validity and Reliability
Measures ensuring that assessments produce accurate and consistent results.
Glossary
Verification & Validation
Ensuring authenticity and reliability of submitted work, potentially involving experts.
Glossary
Q
Quality Assurance (of a MC)
The process of ensuring that a microcredential meets established quality standards.
Glossary
W
WAM (World Accreditation Model)
A framework for quality assurance and accreditation of microcredentials.
Glossary
WAM Foundation
Stichting World Alliance for Microcredentials foundation established on the 24th of May 2024 in the Netherlands
Glossary
Work-Based Learning
Learning that occurs in a professional environment as part of a structured educational program.