The author looks into the theory of change as a method for exploring the effects from the application of technology innovations in the field of career counseling. The application of innovative blockchain technologies is critically looked at. In 2015, Philipp Schmidt, the director of learning innovation at the MIT Media Lab, begins issuing internal, non-academic digital blockchain-based certificates to his team. Schmidt had realized that, despite the rise of decentralized, informal online learning opportunities, there was no digital way to track and manage these accomplishments. He says he became interested in finding a "more modular credentialing environment, where you would get some kind of recognition for lots of things you did throughout your life". 4 years later, Hristian Daskalov looks into a method for assessment of the actual effect of such and other innovations in the world of education and professional development by discussing the experience of MIT and OS.University (among others) as early adopters of DLT (distributed ledger technologies).

1. OS.University“Digital Diploma debuts at MIT“
October 17th, 2017
In 2015, Philipp Schmidt, the director of learning innovation at the MIT Media Lab, had
begun issuing internal, non-academic digital certificates to his team. Schmidt had realized
that, despite the rise of decentralized, informal online learning opportunities, there was no
digital way to track and manage these accomplishments. He says he became interested in
finding a “more modular credentialing environment, where you would get some kind of
recognition for lots of things you did throughout your life.

2. OS.University
http://www.iftf.org/learningisearning/
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

3. OS.University
THEORY OF CHANGE
A method for exploring the effects
from the application of tech.
innovations in the field of career
counseling
Hristian Daskalov
Doctoral Candidate, Member of the 5th
cohort of UCL EDUCATE Program
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

6. OS.University
Business innovation guru Geoff Moore provides a recipe on how to do this in his book “Crossing the chasm”.
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

7. OS.University
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

8. OS.University
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
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9. OS.University
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
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10. OS.University
WHAT IS THE “THEORY OF CHANGE”?
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

11. OS.University
The ''Theory of Change''
is a comprehensive
description of how and
why a desired change is
expected to happen in a
particular context.
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

12. OS.University
Source: Rank & File
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

13. OS.University
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

14. OS.University
OS.University Case Study
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

15. 15
• Recognized in the “Outstanding
Projects with Social Value” category of
the 2018 Presidential Awards for
research & development excellence in
the field of information technology.
• Runner-up for the 2018 “Most
innovative Use of Blockchain for Social
Good” Award as part of ''The Blocks"
Awards Ceremony of the European
Blockchain Expo in Amsterdam.
• Part of the 5th cohort of the London-
based EdTech incubator "EDUCATE“,
run by UCL - university №1 globally in
the subject of Еducation, together with
BESA (British Educational Suppliers
Association) & NESTA.
OS.UNIVERSITY BLOCKCHAIN-BASED CREDENTIALLING MODEL KEY R&D MILESTONES ACHIEVED THUS FAR
• 74% of the workforce are open to making a career move.
• 65% of the employers claim talent shortage is the biggest
challenge in hiring and recruitment.
• 30+ days spent in reviewing experience, competences for
miscommunicated & false data.

16. OS.University
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019
What is it? What are the
questions?
Who is
involved?
2–4 careers
focused
questions
added to
compulsory
student
registration
and re-
enrolment to
track progress
in career
thinking and
employability.
2 areas of research
interest:
- Self-reported “career
readiness” (Decide >
Plan > Compete>
Sorted);
- Useful experience
gained (e.g.
placements,
volunteering,
internships).
16 institutions
who have
implemented or
will be
implementing
CR as part of a
national
consortium, led
by The Careers
Group,
University of
London.
OSU & CR: „Careers Registration and Learning Gain“ is a 3-year HEFCE funded pilot project to investigate the
use of Careers Registration as a measure of learning gain in relation to work readiness.

17. OS.University
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019
USE OF CAREERS REGISTRATION INSIGHTS: Additional evidence for TEF assessments submissions • Providing real data on students’ career thinking and
preparedness • Inform strategic service planning and departmental engagement • Identification of ‘at risk’ groups • Identifying specific employability needs of
groups leading to targeted marketing and interventions • Measuring the effectiveness of employability initiatives • Assessing the impact of departmental and
student engagement in employability • Use with individual students in careers sessions and tutorials • Raise student awareness of careers support options

18. OS.University
1. Applying the theory of change framework is not
necessary for a successful innovation in the work
of your career center. It is necessary for an
impactful one.
2. Simply assuming that an activity will lead to a
result is not better than employing the
„if-you-build-it-they-will-come“ theory.
„If you aim for nothing, you will hit it“ - Yogi Berra
Instead of Conclusion
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019

19. OS.University
www.linkedin.com/in/hristian/
Thank You!
New Tendencies in Career Counselling
National Student House I June 27th 2019