Digital credentials, artificial intelligence and remixable skills data
As a leading online learning platform offers machine-readable digital recognition, what does it mean for skills visiblity?
Hello, it’s been a while! Between writing a book and recently launching an on-demand course on managing AI, I’ve neglected this blog. I thought I would jump back in, however, with a bridge between my new course and a topic I’ve blogged about a lot on here — digital credentials and the Open Badge standard.
Some context
I’m using the online learning platform Udemy for the first time to host an executive micro-course called Top 5 Leadership Skills for Managing AI. Continuing my focus on leadership skills for the emerging era, the course is designed to provide leaders with a quick overview of key considerations, help them develop a mindset for managing AI, and develop a core skillset with practical tools for managing risks.
In a pleasing development, I received an update yesterday that Udemy intends to introduce certifications using the Open Badge standard.
What is the Open Badge standard?
The Open Badge standard can be credited with launching the digital microcredentials movement. It enables issuers to award digital certifications or credentials to provide recognition for granular skills through to full courses of learning. The open nature of the standard means that credentials built to it are not locked inside system silos and can be shared across the web, posted to professional profiles etc. They enable learners to demonstrate ability with digital evidence, and to capture and share learning that happens anywhere, anytime. They are also machine -readable.
Udemy to introduce Open Badge certifications
Instructors using Udemy will be able to offer digital certifications intially for certification preparation, which Udemy’s certification FAQ page describes as:
Certification preparation offers learners looking to advance their careers and showcase their skills an easier way to find courses that prepare them for third-party, in-demand certifications. These certifications can provide them with shareable badges from trusted third-party badge issuers.
So Udemy aren’t currently going to enable instructors to issue Open Badge-based certificates or microcredentials, which I‘m disappointed about but they are partnering with 1Edtech — the global standards organisation that now stewards the Open Badge standard to...
…surface relevant courses that prepare learners for certifications supported through 1EdTech’s standard.
As an author and community contributor to the original Open Badge standard specification, having worked with the Open Badges team at Mozilla to develop Open Badge discoverability prototypes, and as an advisory board member for the transition of the standard from incubation with Mozilla to 1Edtech (formerly IMS Global) it’s satisfying to see these developments from Udemy.
What it means
So what are the implications of wider support for digital, machine-readable skills recognition?
AI-ready
The flexibility of machine-readable, digital recognition means that it can help employers gain more nuanced skills insights with granular skills data. The data-rich nature of digital credentials also primes them for applications using artificial intelligence to learn from the skills data and to reuse, remix and repurpose it for different purposes.
Addressing a consistent challenge
I think Udemy’s decision to use this form of digital recognition is also a positive step towards addressing what has remained a consistent challenge for the uptake of digital credentials — the lack of processes and systems enabling their consumption by employers.
Udemy comments that:
In later phases, we’ll explore a badge import experience for Udemy Business learners, so third-party badge certifications can be tracked and recognized within their organization. This allows organizations to measure Udemy Business learning outcomes to identify skill gaps, upskill and retain talent, and help their businesses stay competitive [my emphasis]. We’ll also explore ways to bring these certification discoverability benefits to learners on the marketplace.
Skills visibility
Udemy offering digital credentials will aid skills visibility. Digital, data-driven, skills recognition helps:
- Individuals to articulate their skills
- Individuals and employers to identify skills gaps
- Employers to optimise deployment
Overall, I’ll be watching this development with interest.
What do you think?
- Do you think there should be more use of digital recognition?
- What are your concerns about using AI with skills data?
- Interested in more information on digital credentials, microcredentials and the development of the Open Badge standard? Check out my previous posts to find out how it came about and developed.
