MICRO-CREDENTIALS IN ADULT EDUCATION

Abstract

The national and international experience of using the technology of micro-credentials for adult education is studied. The history of the appearance of micro-credentials in universities in the form of «badges» as a supplement to the course of formal education in order to better prepare graduates for work at workplaces is considered. The experience of training members of election commissions in Ukraine, which is similar to the technology of micro-qualifications, is described. There are examples of distance learning in Ukraine, which correspond to micro-credentials according to the organization. The expediency of recognition and legal regulation of micro-credentials in Ukraine, in particular, for the organization of regular education of adults, is substantiated. The Recommendations of the Council of the European Union on micro-credentials, in particular the definition of micro-credentials, the definition of the micro-credentials provider are analyzed in details. On the basis of the Recommendations, the need of legalization and introduction of micro-credentials in Ukraine on the basis of minimal administrative regulation is substantiated. It is appropriate to provide for the possibility of providing micro-credentials in the laws of Ukraine «On Education» and «On Adult Education». Detailed regulation at current stage should be implemented in the form of a Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. A declarative procedure for granting the right to study and assigning micro-credentials is proposed. In order to ensure the principles of quality and transparency, which are basic in the Recommendations, it is suggested to enter declared micro-credentials in the Register of Qualifications as a separate pillar. As an element of the external quality assurance system, the right of the administrator of the Register to exclude a micro-credential from the Register should work if it is confirmed that the obtained learning results do not correspond to those declared in the micro-credential. It is proposed to standardize the structure of the description of micro-qualifications and the structure of the document on obtaining micro-qualifications. Information on documents on obtaining micro-credential must also be included in the Register, if the micro-credential is included in the Register. It is proposed to ensure comparison of micro-credentials with the levels of the National Qualifications Framework.

Key words: micro-credentials; adult education; higher education; vocational education; micro-credential provider; Register of qualifications.