I Submitted My First Micro-credential Today

During my ten years as a classroom teacher, I kept a bright orange poster on display that asked two critical questions:

• Do you know it?
• Can you show it?

Part of my new job as Innovation Specialist includes rethinking professional development for our school district. At the forefront of this conversation is that of micro-credentials; the platform being offered by Digital Promise is most interesting to me because it allows teachers to show what they know in a public way.

In February, as I was preparing to apply for my new job, I started exploring. I signed up for an account at Bloomboard and tagged credentials of interest. I started a few. And then stopped. I was overwhelmed. I doubted myself. I ran out of a time. I originally read the details of each micro-credential and felt confident that I could demonstrate my proficiency. Then I became scared.

Today, my office is quiet. Most of the staff has gone to a conference. This morning, I sat down at my computer and completed the three micro-credentials I had previously started. Each was already about 90% of the way complete, but I had to take them each a final step before I could push submit. I took a deep breath, revisited each goal, and completed my first step in the micro-credential process.

For this credential, I submitted a Dosomething.org project that my students completed this year. Students created infographics based on a world-problem of their choosing.

I chose each credential initially because I believe that they are all things that I am proficient in. I went for my strengths in hopes that I can have an early win, feel successful on this new personalized learning journey.

While they are awaiting approval, I have a chance to document and reflect on this learning of mine. I will be asking teachers to do this very same thing, this thing that felt like a bit of a rollercoaster when I began.

They will be confused.

They might be nervous.

They may feel crunched for time.

They might not want to push submit.

It’s my job to facilitate and support their learning, to help them have the confidence to show what they know. I can’t in good faith ask them to do something that I haven’t done.

Ultimately, I feel a bit of success at submitting. I am putting my work out there for peer review. That is the same sense of accomplishment I want my teachers to feel. The success that comes from showing what you know and wearing it like a badge of pride.