from badges to breakthroughs.final.rev

From Badges to Breakthroughs: Unleashing Learner Potential through Competency-based Achievements

Ellen Wagner, WCET, ChairFred Hurst, Northern Arizona University

Karen Solomon, Higher Learning CommissionDeb Everhart, Georgetown University and Blackboard, Inc.

What You Can Expect from this Session

• This panel session shares experiences and perspectives with innovations that are challenging “The Course” as the primary unit of educational currency.

• We will discuss credit for MOOC completion, personalized learning, direct assessment and verification of competencies and badge frameworks as options for extending low-cost, quality educational opportunities for increasingly diverse

student and instructor populations.

Alternative Models of Postsecondary Education are Gaining Traction

• New student populations expect education that is flexible, relevant, and meaningful

• Elite universities are accelerating interest in online learning through massive, open online courses.

• Expectations of institutional accountability have amplified questions about whether and how universities should be “scored.”

• The “ticking time bomb” of American student loan debt is changing consumer attitudes about the value of education.

The Potential for Alternative Credentials

• Thomas Friedman: “Alternative credentialing has potential to lift more people out of poverty…. [and] to unlock a billion more brains to solve the world’s biggest problems” (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/opinion/sunday/friedman-revolution-hits-the-universities.html).

• Alternative credentials can ignite learning enthusiasm, improve learner success, and ultimately increase human potential.

New Modes and Models

These phenomena, among others, are driving the demand for low-cost, reasonable-quality educational experiences. Innovative institutions are responding with alternatives such as:• MOOCs• Personalized Learning• Competency Based Learning• Badge Frameworks

New opportunities have emerged from changing expectations

Evaluating and award credit for student learning, wherever and however it has been acquired. At a growing number of institutions, degrees and certificates are awarded based on credits from courses as well as from analysis of prior learning, community service, and student portfolios. The network needs to grow.

New opportunities have emerged from changing expectations

• Some alternative credentials recognize demonstrated, validated competencies tailored to desired outcomes through direct assessment.

• In some vocational areas, the source of learning is insignificant in comparison to the verified ability to perform a specific skill or job. We will need new structures as well as those to evaluate the competencies.

New opportunities have emerged from changing expectations

• Badges - small, discrete bundles of defined outcomes are available through learning communities that provide reputation frameworks for peer validation, with badging and other designations of achievements.

• These learning opportunities vary broadly in their quality and applicability to higher education; some may displace the need to earn an entire degree.

Please Tweet Your Questions to US

#EDU13@edwsonoma

Since we mentioned MOOCs…

WCET Frontiers (www.wiche.edu)

A Simple Guide for Navigating the MOOC Muddle (Garn and Dowden, 2013)http://www.wcet.wiche.edu/wcet/docs/talking-points/WCETTalkingPoints-MOOCs-04-08-2013.pdf

Dr. Fred Hurst

University of Northern ArizonaPersonalized Learning

Northern Arizona University – Personalized Learning

Change is good. You go first. - Scott Adams, Dilbert cartoon

Northern Arizona University – Personalized Learning

Northern Arizona University’s Personalized Learning enables

motivated students to earn a high quality degree more efficiently and

at a lower cost by customizing coursework to fit individual

learning styles and previously acquired knowledge.

Northern Arizona University – Personalized Learning

Student Experience

•Self-paced online adaptive learning

•Mentor faculty

•Readiness assessment

•Curriculum is interdisciplinary and prescribed - there are no electives

•Every concept - multiple modalities

•Pre-, interim, post-assessments

Northern Arizona University – Personalized Learning

• Developed degree programs in 6 months: Small Business Administration, Computer Information Technology, Liberal Arts

• Lead faculty for each degree

• Student starts any day of the year

• Subscription model - $2,500 per six months – all inclusive (fees, materials, texts)

• Two student records: • Traditional transcript • Competency report

Northern Arizona University – Personalized Learning

Aggressive Timetable

•Approved by HLC on May 21st

•Understanding to offer U.S. DoEd – Title IV in August

•Students enrolled; ~1200 prospects

•500 student goal in first year; 8,000 in five years

•Three new programs second year; masters degrees in third year

Higher Learning CommissionA Commission of the North Central Association

Direct AssessmentCompetency Based Programs

Assuring Quality in Higher Education

Karen J SolomonVice President for Accreditation Relations

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Federal Definition 34 CFR 668.10

Direct Assessment includes range of portfolios, presentations, examinations and other documents that reflect mastery of learning goals

Methodology for determining “credit hour equivalencies” required

Federal funding not eligible for giving credit for prior work

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Reviewed by

State Coordinating & Governing Boards

Accrediting Agencies

U.S. Department of Education

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Issues to AddressPurpose and Philosophy

Clearly defined goals

Framework for programs

Structure and Coherence of the Program

Competencies defined

Beginning, Middle and End Stages

Competencies are not only individual units but build to a unified body of knowledge

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Issues to Address Application of Academic Policies

Student Eligibility

Attendance, Leaves of Absence

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Information to Students

Support Services & Access to Academic Resources

Peer Engagement

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Issues to Address Eligibility, Development & Engagement of

Faculty/Instructors

Subject Matter Experts

Mentors and Coaches

Curriculum Designers

Content Assessors

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Issues to Address Assessment of Student Learning

Evaluation and Improvement Systems

Distinguishing Competency-Based Program from Prior Learning Assessment

Billing and Title IV

Tuition Refunds

Calculation of assistance earned

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Issues to Address Credit Hour Equivalencies

Transcripting of Competency Earned

Equivalent Courses or Credit Hours Noted

Clear Information for Other Institutions and Employers

Contractual Arrangements

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Current StatusGrowing expectations for

transparency regarding persistence, completion and student success

Four institutions approved to offer Direct Assessment programs

Application to be available –

ncahlc.org/change

Badges: New Currency for Professional CredentialsDr. Deborah Everhart

Director of Integration Strategy, Blackboard

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Georgetown University

27Badges.Coursesites.com

No badge is an island.

Open badges work within a complex

ecosystem.

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Open Badges Ecosystem

• Primary Stakeholders– Learners/ Job Seekers– Learning Providers and Assessors– Employers and other Badge Consumers

• Key Components– Verification– Authentication– Validation

Learners/ Job Seekers

Learning Providers and Assessors

Verification

Employers and Other Badge Consumers

Authentication

Standards Organizations

Validation

37Badges.Coursesites.com

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QUESTIONS for panel:

What is the biggest opportunity you see for your breakthrough innovation?

What is THE biggest (possible) hurdle you see as people consider moving ahead with your breakthrough innovation?

What is the one thing you want people to remember about what you have presented?

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST