2020 #VWEDU: #DTA: Microcredentials for the teachers, badges for the kids, guild ranks for the teens. All learning is microlearning, whether educators use it or not.

Microcredentials for the teachers, 
badges for the kids, guild ranks for the teens.  
All learning is microlearning, 
whether educators use it or not.

Learning requires focus.  Focus needs a goal.  Progress is one step at a time.  Badges mark the steps.  Teachers don't have time to manage all those badges.  Computers do have the time. 

Goal setting

Microlearning and skill sets 

• We sometimes gather learning into skill sets
• Where a skill set enables a person to do a particular task.
• We sometimes recognize a demonstrated skill set: 
• Microcredentials, badges, guild ranks
• Such recognition usually has specific criteria for a valid demonstration.
• The criteria could provide guidance in goal-setting.   
• But only if students and parents are informed about them.
• The criteria should be used for guidance in formulating learning objectives.
• Since the objective of learning a skill set is to be able use the skills.
• The merit of badges: Define a useful skill set, specify a goal, give public recognition of skills. 
• Gamification, yes.  But known since the 1930's as reinforcement.
• (Much of gamification is the application of long established principles of behavioral psycology.) 

• Update 11/19/2020 Covid feel good. VWBPE2021: RECONNAISSANCE Call for Proposals Educators' online calendar and OPLN. 

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Gamification recognizes microlearning

• Gamification and microlearning
• Gamification & Microlearning: The perfect combination
• Scholarly articles for gamification and microlearning

Schools use microlearning if...

• ...they award microcredentials, badges, or guild ranks.  
• They always award grades or advancement at the end of a semester.  
• But there is nothing micro about a semester.

It is all about reinforcement

• Reinforcement
• Immediate reinforcement
• Schedules Of Reinforcement
• Reinforcement. feedback, recognition, reward

Is this for students or teachers?

• Why assume the or?
• Both are supposed to be learning.
• Anyone who is learning should have the microcredential option. 
• Teachers really need it because they have limited time to learn.
• Students really need it because it is part of learning-how-to-learn (chunking)

Why now?

• Because we can, with the aid of computer managed instruction.
• Don't think just questions and answers.  
• Computers are no longer restricted to typing.
• We can create virtual worlds that simulate the environment where the skill applies.
• We can tell students to do things that exercise the skill.  
• We can record when they do it, how accurately they do it, and how long it takes them.
• The computer can tell them how well they did and where they need improvement.
• The computer can tell when they meet the criteria for a badge and record the award.

Microcredentials for teachers

• Micro-credential Guidance (NEA)

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