The Use of Technology in Issuing Microcredentials: Transformative Benefits and Systemic Dependencies in Ibero-America
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35362/rie10117349Keywords:
Microcredentials, block, Blockchain, Iberoamerica, Educational transformationAbstract
This article examines the role of technology in issuing microcredentials in the Ibero-American context, highlighting its benefits for educational and labor transformation, as well as associated systemic dependencies. The purpose is to assess how tools such as blockchain, digital platforms (e.g., Credly, Accredible), and learning management systems facilitate verification, portability, and accessibility of these credentials, promoting lifelong learning and employability. Through a systematic literature review and analysis of cases in Latin America and Spain, regulatory advances driven by UNESCO and the European Union are identified, along with challenges like the digital divide, reliance on technology providers, data privacy risks, and the lack of unified quality frameworks. The results show that while technology accelerates microcredential adoption, it creates systemic vulnerabilities that could perpetuate inequalities if unaddressed. The conclusion offers recommendations for inclusive policies, infrastructure investment, and inter-institutional collaboration, emphasizing the need for a regional framework to mitigate these dependencies and maximize transformative impact.
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