The Role and Impact of Microlearning on the Future of Business Education

Abstract

The roles and responsibilities of higher education in meeting the emerging skills and talent needs of the global workforce are changing rapidly. Employers are demanding highly skilled graduates who are continuous learners capable of meeting the shifting technological and business needs or organizations. Today academic diplomas and degrees are being substantiated, and in some cases, being replaced by micro credentials and digital badges. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the scope, explosive growth, issues, and challenges of microlearning in business education. It discusses the ecosystem of micro-credentials and digital learning and offers an understanding of the impact of microlearning platforms on business schools. The American Association of Colleges and Schools of Business (AACSB) 2020 Guiding Principles and Standards for Business Accreditation is now encouraging schools and colleges to take a holistic view of student learning and to embrace micro-learning. This paper describes AACSBs embrace of micro-credentials as a valid pathway to educate and prepare business students to meet the demands of a global workforce. This paper makes an important contribution to business education as it integrates AACSB principles and priorities to digital badges.