Improving learning with self-sovereign identity and digital credentials

In today's rapidly evolving world, it has become increasingly important for individuals to have a portable and secure way of demonstrating their skills and accomplishments. Individuals require a means of showcasing their skills that is acknowledged outside of their educational institutions because the traditional educational system and certificates cannot keep up with the evolving demands of the workforce.

The concepts of self-sovereign identity (SSI), open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials are relevant here. These technologies provide a means for individuals to gain control of their digital identity and to present their skills and achievements in a portable and secure manner. As social media and online platforms grow, people are more at risk of identity theft and data breaches. Technologies for self-sovereign identity give students control over their personal information and credentials, which can be used to confirm their identity, academic standing, and professional experience.

‍

What is self-sovereign identity (SSI)?

Self-sovereign identity (SSI) is a digital identity that is completely controlled by the individual. SSI enables individuals to store and control access to their personal information in a secure, decentralized manner.

With regard to learning, SSI enables students to safely store their academic and professional achievements, such as diplomas, certificates, and micro-credentials, in a way that is portable and fully under their control.

‍

What are open badges?

Open badges are a form of digital credential that enable individuals to present their abilities and accomplishments in a portable and shareable way. Open badges can be displayed on social media profiles, websites, or online portfolios and are given out by trusted organizations like employers or educational institutions.

Open badges can be used to recognise a wide range of skills and accolades, from finishing a course to proving proficiency in a specific skill. Providing individuals with verifiable recognition of their achievements.

‍

What are micro-credentials?

Micro-credentials are a type of digital credential that recognize a specific skill or competency. Micro-credentials are intended to be completed quickly and typically have a smaller scope than traditional certificates or degrees.

Micro-credentials can be used to recognise a variety of abilities and accomplishments, from finishing a single course module to proving one's mastery of a particular skill.

‍

What are digital credentials?

Digital credentials serve as a digital record of a person's abilities and accomplishments. Digital credentials can be obtained in a number of ways, such as by finishing courses, succeeding on exams, or proving one's skill.

Online sharing and verification of digital credentials by potential employers or educational institutions is possible. With the help of digital credentials, people can demonstrate their abilities and accomplishments in a portable and verifiable way.

The value of self-sovereign identity for learners

There are a number of benefits that SSI offer to learners, ranging from portability to privacy and security. At the core of the self-sovereign concept is the identity holder. With the identity holder in control of their data and credentials, they are able to control access to their information, who they wish to share their credentials with, when, and also the ability to revoke access to that information, if required.

‍

Portability

Learners can take their accomplishments with them as they switch between educational institutions or employers because SSI, open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials are all portable. Regardless of where they received their credentials, this portability enables learners to showcase their abilities and accomplishments to prospective employers or educational institutions.

‍

Security

SSI gives students full control over their personal information, allowing them to choose who can see their academic and professional accomplishments. This extra security makes sure that students can present their accomplishments in a safe manner that they are fully in control of.

‍

Recognition

Learners have the chance to demonstrate their abilities and accomplishments in a way that is acknowledged outside of their educational institutions thanks to open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials. For students who are preparing to enter the workforce, this recognition may be useful because it will make them stand out from other applicants.

‍

Flexibility

Compared to traditional certificates or degrees, micro-credentials give students the chance to learn new skills and competencies in a shorter amount of time. For learners who want to quickly upgrade or reskill without committing to a longer-term educational program, this flexibility can be helpful.

‍

Personalization

Digital credentials can be customized to showcase an individual's specific skills and achievements. Through personalization, students can present their distinctive skills and strengths to prospective employers or academic institutions.

‍

Credential stacking

To paint a more complete picture of a person's abilities and accomplishments, SSI, open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials can be stacked. This credential stacking allows learners to demonstrate their proficiency in a wide range of skills and competencies, making them more attractive to potential employers or educational institutions.

Where digital credentials can help.

SSI technologies can be utilized in not only academic institutions, but for business training, online education, and less formal forms of learning. This use of digital credentials and decentralised identity can solve key problems for learners in current educational experiences. From improved recognition to flexibility of personal development, personalization, and more, digital credentials can offer new ways of recognizing and rewarding learners through their personal development and academic educational experiences.

‍

Academic institutions

To acknowledge and reward students for their accomplishments, academic institutions can use SSI, open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials. These technologies can also be used to assist students in showcasing their skills and accomplishments to prospective employers or to students enrolled in other educational institutions.

‍

Business training

SSI, open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials can be used by businesses to provide their employees with training and development opportunities. Additionally, these technologies can be used to reward and honour workers for their vocational skills and accomplishments.

‍

Online education

To give students a way to showcase their abilities and accomplishments, online educational platforms can use SSI, open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials. Additionally, these technologies can be used to give students a more customized learning experience that is catered to their unique skills and aptitudes.

‍

Less formal forms of learning

Institutions that provide more informal forms of learning, such as community-based organizations or non-profits, can use SSI, open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials. With the aid of these technologies, people can show potential employers their skills and competencies and receive recognition and rewards for their accomplishments.

‍

Summary

The implementation of self-sovereign identity using digital credentials and open badges can provide learners with a means to take control of their digital identity and demonstrate their skills and accomplishments in a portable and secure manner. Through the use of these tools, students are able to personalise their learning journey to their specific needs and interests while also receiving recognition outside of traditional, formal academic learning.

Presenting novel methods of appreciating and rewarding learners for their skills and achievements, while also giving them opportunities to reskill and upskill in a more flexible and personalised manner, SSI, in the form of open badges, micro-credentials, and digital credentials are valuable tools for personal development in both an academic and vocational context.

‍