Are Micro-Credentials Valuable for Students? Perspective on Verifiable Digital Credentials

Abstract

Higher education institutions are investing more and investigating digital credentials as proof of learning upon completion of learning offerings, such as micro-credentials. Understanding what value these digital credentials hold for learners and what enables the learners to use digital credentials will help higher education institutions focus their efforts. Although there is research available on value of micro-credentials, there is a huge research gap in understanding the value of digital credentials and the metadata that can be included, especially from learner perspective. To address this gap, we conducted a qualitative analysis study with interviews of learners and administrators in higher education institutions. This study contributes to (1) what value do learners perceive of digital credentials, (2) what value digital credentials have compared to other forms of recognition, such as paper certificates, and (3) what factors enable greater adoption of digital credentials by learners. In terms of practice, our findings help higher education institutions in evaluating the use of digital credentials not only for micro-credentials but also extend them to other learning offerings.