On this episode we talk about
Microcredentials
Embracing technology
Opening up university degrees
Context
Our guest for episode 13 of experimentQ podcast is Chiara Carlino, project manager at Cineca - the biggest University consortium in Italy and communication manager at Bestr - the Italian open badge platform. Based in Bologna, the city with the oldest operational university, Bestr is an active player at home and at European level trying to innovate learning credentials and to rethink the future of diplomas. It was a great experience to be in Bologna and to contrast university history and a new certification platform.
In this episode we discuss the current state of micro-certification, getting a degree by combining learnings from multiple organizations, democratizing the training market, and building trust for digital degree providers.
Note: Shoutout to Galia Sajin for making the experience in Bologna a very special one.
Show notes
About the guest
02:20 - From philosophy to EdTech
03:10 - The story of Cineca
03:50 - Current Passion - OpenAgri
04:50 - Learnings in 2018
05:50 - On failure and success
06:50 - View on the future of education
07:50 - Life as a song
Bestr Story
08:20 - How did Bestr start? Next in educational technology and skill gaps
09:20 - People behind Bestr
10:40 - How do Micro-credentials work?
11:50 - Initial feedback vs adoption process.
Process
13:30 - Defining Bestr success: Number of Badge issuers vs the frequencies of use
14:50 - Expiration term for micro-credentials
16:50 - Why now is the right timing for micro credentials?
18:20 - Prerequisites for badge issuer.
21:35 - Open badges for degrees. Challenging the business model of universities?
25:35 - Bologna Open Recognition Declaration
27:20 - Mindset for "mainstreaming" the using open badges.
29:05 - Meaningful data about "oneself"
30:50 - Building Learning Paths at Bestr
32:20 - Informal recognition of informal learning.
33:40 - Access vs discrimination using open badges?
34:00 - The Common language for Badge hosting platforms?
Future
36:50 - Dream scenario for Bestr development?
37:35 - Focus Market
38:05 - Opportunities for digitizing old diplomas.
38:50 - Ways in which people can help Bestr
Episode Summary
39:35 - Community conversations via #openbadges
40:20 - If I was an educator
42:10 - If I was a teenage student
44:05 - If I was the Minister of Education
45:20 - Benevolent dictator / The T-Shirt Question
46:10 - Open mic: don’t fear technology, understand what’s behind.
47:20 - Contact