Debate

Ekaterina Pechenkina
Swinburne University of Technology
@DrKatya_Pech

Juliet Buchanan
Swinburne University of Technology

Catch this session

Monday 4 December, 2.30pm – 3pm
Stream 3
Room L206

Abstract

The debate features an education researcher and a learning designer coming together to discuss pros and cons of micro-credentialing. Traditionally understood as an alternative credentialing practice, micro-credentialing draws on the principles of the competency-based approach and employs various micro-rewards (e.g. digital badges) to signify learner achievements, such as mastering a skill or gaining knowledge of a particular subject. Micro-credentialing can also be understood more broadly as a dis/re-aggregation of learning process, in which students are allowed greater control over their educational pathway choices. In addition to discussing benefits and challenges associated with increased student control over their learning, the debate addresses other matters of relevance to micro-credentialing, such as universities’ responsiveness to student expectations and how micro-credentialing can be used to improve graduate outcomes in alignment with industry specific needs. The learning designer will debate the affirmative side and the academic will debate the negative side of micro-credentialing, leaving it up to the audience to decide who makes the most convincing argument.

About the authors

Ekaterina Pechenkina

Dr Katya (Ekaterina) Pechenkina is Research Fellow at the Learning Transformations Unit, Swinburne University of Technology. Katya holds a PhD in anthropology from the University of Melbourne and several other degrees. She was a 2003-2004 International Research and Exchange Board fellow at the California State University Bakersfield, where she majored in sociology. Anthropologist and education researcher, Katya’s research interests encompass the discourses of technology, innovation, teaching excellence, and Indigenous experiences in higher education. Katya has published widely and serves as a peer reviewer for several major journals, conferences and publishers. Katya is a member of the teaching team delivering Swinburne’s Graduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching (Higher Education): she convenes and teaches a unit focusing on scholarly teaching designed to help academic staff to explore, evaluate and improve their teaching practices. Katya is an avid social media user and can be found on Twitter @DrKatya_Pech and Facebook @DrKatyaPech

Juliet Buchanan

Ms Juliet Buchanan is a Senior Learning Designer based at Learning Transformations Unit, Swinburne University of Technology. Juliet obtained a Master of Education from the University of Melbourne (2011), a Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Education, The University of Melbourne, 1999 and a Bachelor of Arts (Education), Deakin University. Juliet has a broad range of educational experience in a range of institutions including learning design at Monash and Swinburne universities; learning design experience in Australasian specialist medical colleges, RACMA, RVTS and RACS; teaching experience in primary schools, TAFE and industry experience, training Flight Attendants at QANTAS. Juliet has experience across institutions and in industry designing and creating LMS and online modules.