TrustEd Microcredential Coalition

Powering Microcredential Value and Trust & Supporting Learner Mobility

For microcredentials to succeed in education and work, we need clarity on the rigor behind the credentials and empower learners to have agency over their credentials. 1EdTech formed the TrustEd Microcredential Coalition to address these and other common concerns about the varying levels of quality and trust in microcredentials.

1EdTech TrustEd Microcredential Coalition Aims to Maximize the Value of Digital Credentials

Read the Press Release

TrustEd Microcredential Coalition Members

AACRAO

Anthology

Bowdoin College

California State University System

Cengage

Digital Promise

Google

Greenville County Schools

HelioCampus

Idaho Division of Career Technical Education

Instructure

Italian Quality Company S.r.l.

Oracle

Parchment

Southern New Hampshire University

Territorium

Udemy

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

University of Maryland Global Campus

University of Phoenix

VitalSource

Walmart

Western Governors University

Wichita State University

As one of its first deliverables, the TrustEd Microcrodential Coalition has released a microcredential metadata framework (see it below) for issuing organizations to use.

TrustEd Microcredential Framework

The framework builds on the Open Badges data standard by defining a set of minimum and recommended data requirements for two new credential types.

Types of Microcredentials

Issued to a learner for developing a specific set of foundational knowledge demonstrated by a validated assessment that measures the defined learning outcomes.

Examples: Successful exam completion at the end of a course or training class or passing a prior knowledge assessment

Issued to a learner based on demonstrating the ability to apply a specific set of knowledge and assessed by a validated assessment aligned to the defined outcomes.

Examples: Completion of a lab, project, or research presentation

Issued to a learner who completes a task or participates in an event.

Examples: Webinar attendance, organization membership, or committee service

Metadata Minimum Expectations

Proposed Final Version

This table identifies the metadata expectations to issue a TrustEd Microcredential.

An issuing organization can still include additional details and metadata above the requirements while maintaining TrustEd Microcredential status.

The metadata field name and its purpose are shown below. Use the + to reveal the knowledge and application expectations for each metadata field.

Levels of Metadata Expectations

Required: These data fields—in the format specified—are required.

Recommended: Inclusion of data in these fields is not required, though including this data provides value to the learners. Issuing platforms will make these optional fields available to users so they have the option to include data.

Recommended, if available: This data provides significant benefit to the learners and should be included if possible. Badge platforms will make these fields available to users. Examples of when it might not be available are in the evidence field, where the data may not be included, such as to protect IP, or in the rubric field, where the assessment method did not include a rubric.

Knowledge

Required: Identified using text

Application

Required: Linked to external skills definitions

Knowledge

Required: Identified using text

Application

Required: Identified and linked to external frameworks. Recommend linking to frameworks published using interoperable standards, such as CASE, CTDL, or Rich Skills Descriptors (RSDs).

Knowledge

Required: Identified using the data requirements as defined in Open Badges Extensions for Education (OBEE)

Application

Required: Identified using the data requirements as defined in Open Badges Extensions for Education (OBEE)

Knowledge

Required: Recommended from an accredited or industry-recognized organization, and that data is included

Application

Required: Recommended from an accredited or industry-recognized organization, and that data is included

Knowledge

Recommended, if available

Application

Recommended, if available

Knowledge

Recommended, if available

Application

Recommended, if available

Knowledge

Required

Application

Required

Knowledge

Required

Application

Required

Knowledge

Required: Identified using the data requirements as defined in Open Badges Extensions for Education (OBEE)

Application

Required: Identified using the data requirements as defined in Open Badges Extensions for Education (OBEE)

Knowledge

Recommended, if available

Application

Recommended, if available

Knowledge

Required: Must use specific type that most closely matches assertion. Cannot use N/A or Not Applicable.

Application

Required: Must use specific type that most closely matches assertion. Cannot use N/A or Not Applicable.

Recommend organizations pursue 3rd party endorsement of TrustEd Microcredentials

Knowledge

Recommended, if available

Application

Recommended, if available

*These items are required in all issued Open Badges. The TrustEd Microcredential Coalition Framework adds additional data recommendations and requirements in these fields.

Revised: May 29, 2024

Commitment from Edtech Leaders Endorsing TrustEd Microcredentials

Join the effort to increase the value of digital credentials through transparency. See the education and technology leaders committed to the work of the TrustEd Microcredential Coalition and register your support.

TrustEd Microcredential Commitment

1EdTech Contributing Members can Contact Us about participating in the TrustEd Microcredential Coalition.