Critical Factors in the Development of Institutional Models of Distance Micro-credentials Oriented Towards the Development of Teaching Competences

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.25749/sis.45003

Keywords:

micro-credentials, distance education, institutional model, higher education, teaching competences

Abstract

This article analyses critical factors shaping institutional models of distance micro-credentials for developing teaching competences in higher education. Drawing on European policy frameworks, DigCompEdu, and literature on distance education and governance, the study adopts an exploratory approach combining documentary analysis, institutional data, evaluation questionnaires and comments from four editions of a teacher training programme. Findings identify regulatory, pedagogical, organisational and technological factors influencing implementation. Results suggest that flexibility and modularity increase pedagogical complexity, reinforcing the need for instructional design, pedagogical support and institutional coordination. An analytical matrix is proposed to support the design and improvement of institutional micro-credential models.

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Author Biographies

Manuela Francisco, Laboratório de Educação a Distância e eLearning, Centro de Inovação Pedagógica, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal

Holds a postdoctoral qualification in Inclusive Open Education, a PhD in Distance Education and eLearning, and a Master's degree in eLearning Pedagogy. She is a researcher at the Distance Education and eLearning Laboratory (LE@D) of Universidade Aberta and at the Centre for Studies in Education and Innovation (CI&DEI) of the Politécnico de Leiria. Since 2007, she has worked as a Learning Designer and trainer at the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Distance Education of the Politécnico de Leiria, and since 2010 she has collaborated with Universidade Aberta in teaching and training activities.

Carina Rodrigues, Centro de Investigação em Qualidade de Vida, Centro de Inovação Pedagógica, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal

Holds a PhD in Education, specialising in Distance Education and eLearning, from Universidade Aberta, a Master's degree in Adult Education, and a degree in Educational Sciences from the Institute of Education of the University of Lisbon. She is a researcher at CIEQV. Since 2008, she has worked as a Learning Designer and trainer at the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Distance Education of the Politécnico de Leiria and has collaborated with Universidade Aberta in tutoring activities.

Susana Reis, Centro de Investigação em Qualidade de Vida, Centro de Inovação Pedagógica, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal

Holds a PhD in Didactics and Teacher Education from the University of Aveiro. She is a lecturer at the Politécnico de Leiria, where she teaches in the field of teacher education, and currently serves as Director of the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation. She coordinates the PRR Skills4Digital and EPIC projects and has participated in several national and European initiatives focused on pedagogical innovation and teacher professional development. She is an external expert for the Portuguese General Inspectorate of Education and Science and a researcher at CIEQV, as well as a collaborator at CI&DEI.

Tatiana Nogueira, Centro de Inovação Pedagógica, Educação, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal

Holds a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Educational Sciences from the University of Coimbra. She has worked as a Pedagogical Coordinator at Beira Labor and as a Learning Designer and Trainer at the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Distance Education of the Politécnico de Leiria. Her research interests focus on education, with a particular emphasis on inclusion.

Joana Mineiro, Centro de Inovação Pedagógica, Design, Instituto Politécnico de Leiria, Portugal

Holds a degree in Graphic and Multimedia Design from ESAD.cr and a Master's degree in Multimedia Communication, specialising in Interactive Multimedia, from the University of Aveiro, where she conducted research on accessible urban posters. Since 2008, she has worked at the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation and Distance Education of the Politécnico de Leiria as a UX Designer, focusing on the design of innovative and user-friendly interfaces. She has participated in several national and international projects and is the author of various scientific publications.

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Published

2026-06-30

Issue

Vol. 14 No. 2 (2026): Educators’ Digital Competence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: Reconfigurations of Pedagogical Practice

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Articles

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