This project by a consortium of higher education institutions (HEIs) and vocational education and training schools (VETs) tackles a critical issue: enhancing the quality and reach of online teaching. While the direct participants are few, the project's potential impact is vast.

Why This Project Matters

All consortium members recognize the importance of improving online teaching and learning. This project focuses on developing a micro-certification system for online educators – a targeted intervention with the potential to create significant change.

Beneficiaries Beyond the Consortium

The project's benefits extend far beyond the participating institutions:

• HEIs and VETs in Consortium Countries: Best practices and project outcomes will be shared, encouraging similar initiatives and elevating educational quality across these countries.
• European Educational Institutions: Project findings will be disseminated Europe-wide, promoting better practices and fostering collaboration. This has the potential to strengthen the entire European higher education system.
• Employers and Industry Partners: The project's focus on staff development translates to graduates with industry-relevant skills. Improved online teaching can also lead to more collaboration between educational institutions and employers.

The Power of Micro-Credentials

Work Package 3 (WP3) centres on creating micro-certification systems for online teaching in three consortium institutions. These micro-credentials will serve as a standardized framework for recognizing and validating educators' online teaching expertise. This will:

• Encourage Adoption: A clear and transparent micro-credential system builds trust and motivates participation.
• Facilitate Recognition: Micro-credentials should be easily recognized and transferable across different contexts within the institution.
• Promote Continuous Learning: A clear pathway for acquiring additional micro-credentials fosters a culture of ongoing professional development.

               The project envisions several key outcomes:

1. Embedded Micro-Certification Systems: Three consortium members will establish micro-certification systems that embrace not only project-developed micro-credentials but also future additions or external credentials.
2. Enhanced Online Teaching Quality: The system helps educators improve their online teaching skills, leading to higher-quality online courses.
3. Increased Staff Engagement: Recognition through micro-certification motivates staff to further develop their online teaching expertise.
4. Improved Student Satisfaction: With higher-quality online teaching, student satisfaction and retention are likely to increase.
5. Boosted Mobility: Recognized micro-credentials make it easier for educators to participate in mobility programs, demonstrating their qualifications to host institutions.
6. Enhanced Reputation: A well-designed micro-certification system can elevate the consortium's reputation, attracting more students and broadening partnership opportunities.

Building a Strong Foundation

Developing a framework for the micro-certification system is the crucial first step. This framework will:

• Identify Skills and Competencies: Define the specific skills and competencies required for successful online teaching.
• Establish Standards: Create clear criteria for achieving proficiency in each identified skill or competency.
• Design Assessment Processes: Develop methods to accurately assess educators' mastery of these skills.
• Establish Credential Issuance: Design a system for issuing and displaying earned micro-certificates.
• Promote Ongoing Learning: Create opportunities for continuous professional development and further micro-certification acquisition.

Pilot, Feedback, and Community

Following internal promotion, the system will be piloted with a small group of educators at each institution. Stakeholder feedback will be used to refine the system and ensure it meets its objectives. Additionally, a Community of Practice will be established to foster a culture of micro-certification, promote staff engagement, and ensure system consistency.