Can Digital Wallets Help Revitalize Public Trust in Higher Ed?
Higher education has been slow to respond to the increasing demand for digital credentials—specifically skills-focused microcredentials and badges. If the industry can speed up the adoption of systems for learners to display their learning achievements and job skills, it could help to reinforce sagging public belief in the relevance of college and a formal education.
That’s the founding premise of a recently formed coalition of national college associations, including the campus registrars’ group, the American Council of Education, and the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Their goal is to accelerate the use of learning and employment records (LERs) and digital wallets.
Mike Simmons is associate executive director of strategic partnerships and business development for the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. He spoke with Work Shift about why the groups are wading into LERs, and what the Walmart-funded Accelerator project is hoping to accomplish.
