Turns Out, We Do Need that Badge: Developing a Microcredential Program for Skill Development at Virginia Tech

Term: Summer 2025

Dates & Times: July 14th 9:00am - 3:00pm, July 16th 9:00am - 3:00pm, and July 18th 9:00am - 1:00pm (In Person Only)

Location: University Mall 2104 (Directions)

Instructors: Marc Zaldivar & Amanda MacDonald

Presented By: Technology-Enhanced Learning and Online Strategies (TLOS), PRofessional Development Network (PDN) & University Libraries (LIB)

Description:

Microcredential programs are a growing force to help support complex learning environments in higher education.  As more skill-based learning, accessible on demand, is being consumed by learners, they require a more sophisticated technology to tell the story of their learning.  Microcredential programs, and the digital badges they offer as evidence, are a step in that direction.

For the past several years, Virginia Tech has been exploring the use of this technology in faculty/staff professional development and in noncredit/nonclassroom student learning spaces.  This summer, we invite you to join us to help explore this technology and develop the resources and plan you need to create and sustain microcredential  and digital badge programs.

Taking place over a week (meeting on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday), this workshop will begin with an overview of the microcredential approach, and then, over subsequent days, you will develop outcomes, descriptions, images, and an assessment plan for your own microcredential program.

So, if you are someone who
Trains faculty or staff on specific work skills,
Leads student learning that isn’t credit-bearing,
Developing a sequence of training for any audience,
You might need that badge!

Note: This workshop focuses only on noncredit professional development for faculty, staff, and students.  Microcredentials and badges are not currently recommended for credit-bearing, academic programs at Virginia Tech.  If you are interested in this scenario, reach out to Marc Zaldivar (marcz@vt.edu) to discuss.