Webinar Week

1. from launching over 50 microcredentials
Matt Stanfield-Jenner, Director of Learning
Highlights and challenges
#ThisIsFutureLearning

2. About FutureLearn
#ThisIsFutureLearning
● Started by UK Open University (2012)
● Co-owned by SEEK Group (2019)
● Marketplace of thousands of courses
● Unique social learning platform
Our mission:
Transform access to education

3. We have a diverse learner base and continue to update our
courses to reflect their demand. It goes beyond course
subjects too - we are actively working to ensure diversity in
the educators, institutions and partners we work with.
60% female 40% male
22%
15%
13%
12%
7%
6%
25%
We are a global
network of over
17 million learners
#ThisIsFutureLearning
#

4. World class educators
A network of over 240
high quality university
and industry providers
to deliver online learning
across a wide range of
subjects to support
professional and
personal learning.

5. Microcredentials
How it started

6. a portfolio of accredited
microcredentials,
endorsed by employers,
that enable learners to
demonstrate
sought-after career
relevant skills
by learning with others.
- FutureLearn microcredential vision statement, 2019

7. Stacking, Credit, RPL, Effort Required
Scale - in learning hours
Short course (~10 hours)
Microcredential (~150 hours)
Degree (~1,800 hours)
Defining the shape of a microcredential

9. Microcredential University Cost Credit Points
Cyber Security Operations
(Cisco CCNA)
The Open University £600
15 UK credits
Postgraduate
Data Science: Data-Driven
Decision Making
Monash University £742
6 AUS credits
Postgraduate
Digital Photography: Creating a
Professional Portfolio
The Open University £450
10 UK credits
Undergraduate
FinTech – Financial Innovation Dublin City University £1200 5 ECTS credits
Project Management: Managing
Front-End Planning
QUT £990
12 AUS credits
Postgraduate
Teacher Training: Embedding
Mental Health in the Curriculum
The Open University £450
10 UK credits
Undergraduate
Research Methods Deakin University £742 1 unit Postgraduate
Sports Coaching Deakin University £920 1 unit Postgraduate
Launch portfolio - February 2020

12. Microcredentials:
● High investment in time for our learners and educators
● Building from previous learning experiences (on FutureLearn or elsewhere)
● Part of a learning pathway, start or stacking up
● Recommend a short course as preview / taster of the larger microcredential experience
● Creating stackability of outcomes, such as multiple microcredentials or credit into a degree
Learner Products Overview - November 2021
1,300
Short Courses
~34,500
Open Steps
90
ExpertTracks
50
Microcredentials
30
Degrees
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Free
5-10 mins
Free to £79/Upgrade
4-6 weeks
Free trial to £36/mo
2-4 months
£400 - £1000
4-6 months
£10k+
2 years+
Learner Commitment
Little (visit)
Lowest (enrolment)
Medium (purchase)
High (time)
Very high (dedication)

13. What we’ve learned so far
Microcredentials

14. Course title and
summary always
presented clearly
Key information at
top; dates, duration,
price, credit, level
Human support
is one click
away.
University or
Educator brand is
highly visible
Credit and level is
explained and helps
comparison between
microcredentials
Connect them to
advice - direct at top
Learner record
store (behind
the scenes)
Enrolment deadline

15. Connecting educator, industry and learner
Value proposition overview
Educator
#ThisIsFutureLearning
#
Opportunities to practice
and demonstrate learning in
a supportive environment.
Learner
Industry
Validating and accrediting
learning created, taught and
endorsed or co-designed by
industry experts
Relevant skills and
learning outcomes which
link learning and careers

16. Connecting educator, industry and learner
Data Analytics for Business with Tableau Training
#ThisIsFutureLearning
#
Advancer, 26-35, career driven.
Wants clear outcomes, latest topics
and pathways into further study
Needs quantitative data
analytics skills to further career
in a growing industry.
Delivered by industry, validated
by Coventry University leading
to academic credit.
Source: https://www.futurelearn.com/microcredentials/business-data-analytics-tableau

17. Key Findings - for Learners
● The main driver is to learn new skills
● Support during enrolment decision
● Decisions can take weeks, or months
● Most enrolments within 2 weeks of start date / enrolment deadline
● Partner / Educator reputation influences enrolment
● Provide detailed descriptions really help
○ Including Handbooks - pdfs with everything they need to know.
○ A preview, or ‘peak inside’ is highly desirable
○ Trailers - showing the who, what, where
● Top performers have aligned with our strengths (Health, Education, Fashion)

18. Key Findings - for Partners / Educators
● Common Microcredential Framework well received
○ Standard size & shape started conversations
○ But: also starting to find the limitations!
● We advise partners by measuring potential topics with an internal ‘demand score’
● Early stage planning - estimating enrolments to help find potential ROI.
● Larger than MOOCs - more resource intensive
● Partner’s prefer to start from an existing body of content (not a blank slate)
● Looking to mirror more elements of the existing LMS
● Cut down on readings, increase audio & video content
● Flexible assessment - submissions, timings, resits
● Reduce usage of PDFs
● Too many off-platform activities can lose focus / control

19. A learner is four times
more likely to enrol on a
Microcredential with
industry endorsement
Source: FutureLearn data

20. A wish list of areas for the future (not prioritised) Key: 🎉 highlight 😅 challenge
Accreditation
🎉 Industry + FL
😅 Governance
frameworks
Learner records
🎉 Standardised
learner outcomes
😅 Student record
systems
Achievements
🎉 Digital credentials
😅 Interoperability /
weighted outcomes
Credit stacking
🎉 Multiple enrolments
😅 Many standards!
Pathways
🎉 Short course to
microcredential
journey
😅 Making it truly
personal
Assessment
🎉 Complexity &
variety
😅 Long-term record
keeping
Affordability
🎉 Range of prices &
discounts
😅 Personal
investment per learner
Industry + HEI
🎉 Successful
partnerships
😅 Industry being
‘credit worthy’
Facilitation
🎉 Partners
maximising social
learning
😅 Each course varies
Credit
🎉 Simplifying it as
much as possible
😅 Essential?
Our highlights & challenges

21. Thank
you
Questions and
Discussion
matt.jenner@futurelearn.com
www.futurelearn.com