Internal Resouces for UMB

• The Learning Institutes Badging and Micro-Course Develompent Guide

External Resources:

• Guide to design, issue, and recognize micro-credentials
• Alternative Credentials Business and Program Models Study Findings and Takeaways

This opportunity is open to current UMB students, staff, faculty, and community members. If you are an expert in a specific area or are passionate about a particular topic, submit a micro-course proposal using our online form. Currently, Learning Institute instructors are uncompensated. If you have questions about developing a micro-course, contact Dr. Courtney J. Jones Carney at courtney.carney@umaryland.edu.

Here is the process for building a micro-course:

1. Identify the learning outcome: Determine what the learners need to know and what specific skills they need to acquire.
2. Break down the content into small, manageable chunks: Divide the content into short, focused segments that can be easily consumed in just a few minutes.
3. Choose the right format: Decide on the format that best suits the content and learning objectives. Some popular formats include videos, infographics, quizzes, and interactive games.
4. Use technology to deliver the content: Use a learning management system or a mobile app to deliver the content to learners.
5. Incorporate interactive elements: Add interactive elements, such as quizzes or games, to engage learners and help them retain the information better.
6. Evaluate and refine: Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the micro-learning course and make improvements based on learner feedback.
7. Promote and market: Promote the micro-learning course to the target audience to ensure maximum engagement and participation.

Remember, the key to effective micro-learning is to keep it concise, relevant, and easily digestible for the learners.

Badges can be awarded by anyone at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Badges are awarded using an online tool called Badgr. Badgr is a free and open-source platform for badge issuing, management, and tracking user achievements. To access the online tool, individuals can go to https://umaryland.badgr.com/; then, using their UMB credentials, individuals can log into the platform to review the badges they have been awarded. Badges can then be externally shared to various social media, including LinkedIn, Facebook, Pinterest, X (the company formerly known as Twitter), and embedded as a hyperlink for email signatures or on resumes/CVs.  

Individuals interested in awarding badges should first submit a badge proposal before they are granted access as a badge issuer in the badging platform Badgr.

Individuals interested in becoming badge issuers and awarding micro-credentials are required to submit a Micro-Credential Proposal. However, before starting the form, the following materials are needed:

1. Micro-credential name (less than 35 characters)
2. Brief description of micro-credential (less than 100 words or 750 characters)
3. A digital graphic. Graphics should follow UMB branding standards, include the name of the micro-credential, and be an acceptable image file to Badgr. For examples, see the Learning Institute’s current badges.
4. Micro-credential learning objectives. Micro-learning objectives should be brief, clearly outline the intended learning outcome, and should not exceed 5 learning objectives.
5. Learning objective assessment measures overview

For each learning outcome, a clear and defined assessment measure should be used to evaluate if the learner has achieved and/or displayed the learning outcome. Assessment measures can be created at a later time in badge development; however, a brief overview of assessment measures should be included in the proposal.

Once an individual has compiled the 5 aforementioned items, they can apply to be a badge issuer using the Micro-Credential Proposal form. Micro-Credential Proposal forms are reviewed on a semi-weekly basis and applicants should expect to hear back in less than 10 business days.

Individuals interested in becoming badge issuers and awarding micro-credentials are required to submit a Micro-Credential Proposal. However, before starting the form, the following materials are needed:

1. Micro-credential name (less than 35 characters)
2. Brief description of micro-credential (less than 100 words or 750 characters)
3. Micro-credential learning outcome. The outcome should be brief and clearly outline the overall purpose or goal from participation in an educational activity.
4. Learning outcome assessment measure(s).

For each learning outcome, a clear and defined assessment measure should be used to evaluate if the learner has achieved and/or displayed the learning outcome. Assessment measures can be created at a later time in badge development; however, a brief overview of assessment measures should be included in the proposal.

Micro-Credential Proposal forms are reviewed every two weeks. Applicants should receive a response in approximately 10 business days.