What is a micro-credential?

Micro-credentials are just what they sound like, short certifications on a specific skill or in a particular area. They enable educators to show what skills they have mastered and their areas of expertise.

Why earn a micro-credential?

Micro-credentials, unlike other professional development courses or workshops, are designed to offer on-demand, self-paced, and individualized instruction with the opportunity to learn by doing. Teachers can personalize their learning to align with their goals for the classes they teach, rather than attending a general PD session that does not pertain to their individual needs. Ultimately, teachers build a portfolio of the skills they have mastered; skills that educators will need to advance and grow throughout their careers.
OTIS offers micro-credentialing that is available as a series of online courses. We focus on scaffolded instruction and successful implementation of popular classroom tools. Personalized feedback is provided as participants submit assignments throughout the course, and a final project is submitted with lesson content applicable to the classroom environment.

OTIS offerings

Here are the micro-credential opportunities we are currently offering. Please, check back often with us as we continue to add more micro-credentials to the OTIS platform.

1. Google Educator

The Google Educator Basics micro-credential is encouraged for new users of Google Workspace for Education. This is a 15-part series that covers all the essential Google Workspace for Education apps and how to best use them within an educational setting. Before earning your certificate, you will be tasked with completing an interactive Google Site that can be used in your classroom. This micro-credential will also prepare you for the Google Level 1 Educator Exam. 

The Google Advanced micro-credential is a 12-part series that covers the Google Workspace for Education tools in greater depth. Before earning your certificate, you will complete an interactive lesson plan that can be used to engage students in your classroom. This micro-credential will also prepare you for the Google Level 2 Educator Exam.

2. SMART Learning Suite

The SMART Learning Suite micro-credential covers using SMART Notebook and Lumio by SMART to create interactive lessons, activities, and assessments to be delivered to students both in and out of the classroom. This micro-credential includes an assignment to create a completely interactive SMART Learning Suite file that can be used to engage students in your classroom.

3. Promethean

The Promethean micro-credential covers using ActivInspire (the installed desktop component) and Classflow (the online component) to create interactive lesson activities and assessments for the classroom. This micro-credential includes a final assignment to create a completely interactive Flipchart file that can be used to introduce and/or assess students on content taught.

4. Microsoft 365

The Microsoft Office 365 micro-credential covers using various Microsoft programs to create and share lessons, organize your files, schedule and conduct meetings, collect and interpret student data, and much more. At the end of the micro-credential, you will showcase your skills by completing an assignment in which you create a meeting and associated interactive files that can be delivered in person or remotely.

Whether you are looking to learn new educational technology skills, need to brush up on a particular program, or just want to prove what you already know— OTIS for Educators’ micro-credential courses have you covered.

For more tips, tricks, and tools for teaching in and out of the classroom, check out more articles on the Teq Talk blog.

We also offer virtual professional development, training, and remote learning support for educators with OTIS for educators. Explore the technology, tools, and strategies that can spark student success — no matter where teaching or learning are happening.