The education scenario for the 2020-2021 academic year was an unusual one, marked by new challenges and big lessons. By way of an emergency, face-to-face education was replaced by inescapable remote education. Educators abruptly had to adopt new teaching methodologies. For those who had no previous experience of distance education, this experience was undoubtedly a great lesson. It may seem simple, but we must consider that a change in educational methodology is a complex process that involves multiple functions. So, our educators were not only teaching, they were also learning. However, given the implementation of new educational methodologies our educators have had the opportunity to develop and demonstrate new skills.

Durante este año académico, todo el personal docente del sistema público de enseñanza de Puerto Rico tuvo acceso a un programa de desarrollo profesional abarcador, flexible y personalizado, por medio del cual adquirieron y fortalecieron competencias en el uso e integración de la tecnología para llevar a cabo el proceso de enseñanza y aprendizaje.  Una iniciativa cuyo propósito es fomentar una nueva cultura tecno-pedagógica en los escenarios escolares. El Departamento de Educación de Puerto Rico (DEPR) trabajó en alianza con Global Education Exchange Opportunities, Inc. (GEEO), una innovadora empresa puertorriqueña dirigida por la Dra. Odette Piñeiro Caballero, dedicada a identificar y desarrollar las mejores prácticas educativas y gerenciales a nivel mundial, para desarrollar e implementar un innovador ecosistema de aprendizaje autodirigido como parte del modelo de desarrollo profesional de la agencia.  GEEO a su vez, contó con la colaboración de Digital Promise Global, una organización con sede en Washington, D.C. y California cuya misión es acelerar la innovación en la educación para mejorar las oportunidades de aprendizaje, en la elaboración de 22 micro credenciales por competencias.  A través del proyecto DE-Innova, estas micro credenciales se encuentran a disposición de todo el personal docente y no docente del sistema público de forma gratuita, en el sitio web de GEEO: https://website.geeopr.com/. En general, las 22 micro credenciales disponibles están dirigidas a desarrollar o fortalecer competencias relacionadas con el uso e integración de la tecnología en la sala de clases.  Esta alianza ha sentado las bases para la transformación de los procesos de enseñanza y aprendizaje en los ambientes de desarrollo profesional en nuestra isla.  De esta forma, se deja a un lado el sistema de desarrollo profesional tradicional para en su lugar, insertar una nueva modalidad de aprendizaje autodirigido a tono con la realidad social actual.

Learning does not stop at university. Professionals need to keep learning continuously, inside or outside the educational context. Now more than ever, lifelong learning is a requirement to ensure effectiveness and efficiency in the professional environment. Micro-credentials are positioning themselves as a trend in the field of professional development; [...] they not only promote competitiveness in the workforce quickly and effectively, but at the same time adapt to the demands of the professional's job and family (Wheelahan, 2021). According to a study conducted by Berry & Byrd (2019) in the United States, micro-credentials serve as a powerful tool for improving the professional development industry by serving teachers and administrators. Micro-credentials not only focus on content but also incorporate active learning, an important feature for professional development. This professional learning ecosystem encourages teachers to direct their own learning, gather evidence of impact, and publicly demonstrate what they have accomplished.

Faced with this new normal, and implementing this new modality (at their own pace and according to their areas of interest and opportunity), 311 educators already have at least one digital badge. The following graph shows the distribution of digital badges acquired by Regional Education Office.

Through earning the digital badge, educators demonstrate their competencies in rigorous, research-supported content and receive recognition for their skills. As of 30 June 2021, Global Education Exchange Opportunities and Digital Promise Global have awarded a total of 375 digital badges. Among the micro-credentials most requested by educators are Why Use Technology in the Classroom, Empowering Parents through Technology, Creating Digital Citizens, Using Technology as a Professional Learning Tool and Behaviour Management in a Digital Classroom.

This innovative modality will remain available free of charge for educators in the public system until 26 August 2021. GEEO invites you to its Virtual Education Support Room every Wednesday and Thursday at 1:00 p.m., where you will have live support from experts in the application process and content of the micro-credentials, and where you will have the opportunity to clarify doubts and concerns.

Para más información acerca de las micro credenciales, acceda: https://website.geeopr.com/de-innova/#credencialesporcompetencia.

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References

Berry, B., & Byrd, A. (2019). Micro-credentials and education policy in the United States. Recognizing learning and leadership for our nation's teachers. Digital Promise. https://digitalpromise.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/mcs-educationpolicy.pdf

Wheelahan, L. &. (2021). Analyzing micro-credentials in higher education: A bernsteinian analysis. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 212-228. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00220272.2021.1887358

This article was written by Dr. Judith Santos and Dr. Karla C. Colón.