#micro credentialism

Joe has been working as a mechanic for… a long time1. Now, as a fellow student in this course, Joe has found a few trends from his experience related to how he sees that both his field and education have changed.

Throughout our chat, we went through several topics, but I feel that the one that stood out the most to me that Joe shared with me was that of micro credentials. Joe has seen that as automobile technology has changed, so have the opportunities and demands places upon mechanics. Joe sees with concern the fact that mechanics nowadays are expected to follow a manual and instructions, rather than the more creative, albeit potentially faulty, process that was part of mechanic work and how one learns the trade.

In our chat, we talked about how the implementation of computers and AI has made the work mechanics do more about running a computer so as to be told what to do without much critical thinking from mechanics. In that same way, for Joe this also applies to education as he admits that he finds the use of technology overwhelming, but a challenge that he feels has been ultimately constructive, even if there might be reason to question whether there isn’t an overreliance of technology in education.

Joe admits that his process adjusting to new forms and experiences in education, has not been without grief, but feels that it has been rewarding. While he recognizes uncertainty as to where education or the field of mechanics are going, he recognizes himself as an optimist.