What is a digital certification platform and how does it differ from a content provider?

When an educational institution, company, or academy wants to certify the learning of its students or employees, it often encounters two types of solutions: content providers and digital certification platforms. Although the two may seem similar, their roles are very distinct within the training and talent development ecosystem. In this article, we explain what a digital certification platform is, its advantages, and, above all, how it differs from a content provider. If you are designing a competency-based training strategy, this content will be very useful for making better decisions.

What is a digital certification platform?

A digital certification platform It is a technological tool that allows you to issue, manage, distribute and validate digital credentials, such as certificates, badges or diplomas. These platforms are designed to easily integrate with learning management systems (LMS), institutional databases or other educational technologies.

In addition, some platforms use technologies such as blockchain to ensure the traceability, authenticity, and unalterability of credentials, which increases the confidence of employers and other educational institutions.

Advantages of having a digital certification platform

Implementing a digital certification platform offers multiple benefits for organizations of all sizes. Some of the most notable advantages include:

• Automation of the certification process: A large volume of credentials can be issued without manual effort, saving time and reducing errors.
• Secure and verifiable credentials: Thanks to the use of technologies like blockchain, credentials are impossible to counterfeit and easily verifiable online.
• Greater visibility for students: Credentials can be easily shared on social networks like LinkedIn, expanding the recognition of acquired learning.
• Institutional reputation: Organizations that use Digital Credentials show a commitment to innovation and transparency.
• Impact measurementMany platforms include dashboards and reports to analyze the use and scope of issued credentials.

Content providers vs. certification tool providers

Although they are often used together, content providers and digital certification platforms They perform different and complementary functions.

What does a content provider do?

Content providers are companies or institutions that are dedicated to creating and offering courses, training, Micro-credentials o learning programs. Some examples are universities, virtual academies or companies specializing in e-learning. Their focus is on the instructional design, the content curation, development of multimedia materials and learning assessment.

In other words, content providers are responsible for what the student learns.

And what does a digital certification platform do?

On the other hand, the digital certification platform does not generate educational content, but rather specializes in certify that learning in a secure, modern, and scalable manner. These types of platforms allow for the issuance of Digital Credentials that can represent anything from courses to skills, projects, competencies, or even non-formal achievements.

For example, a content provider can create a “Digital Marketing for Entrepreneurs” Micro-credential. Then, platforms like Accredited allow you to certify that course through a Digital Credential on blockchain, which can be shared, verified and used as evidence of acquired learning.

Which one do you need?

As you have already seen, on the one hand, there are content creators —such as universities, training centers, companies or independent experts— that are responsible for design and offer courses, training programs, and micro-credentialsIts main function is to generate knowledge and structure it into effective learning paths.

Furthermore, the digital certification platforms, they are not dedicated to creating the course content, but rather focus on officially certify that learning.

In other words: if you or your organization already have courses or Micro-credentials developed, a digital certification platform allows you to recognize and certify those achievements through Verifiable Digital Credentials which can be shared by students on their professional profiles, social networks or job selection processes.

Recognizing learning: the new standard

In the era of the digital economy, where continuous learning and employability are priorities, having a digital certification platform is no longer optional: it’s a competitive advantage. Distinguishing between who generates content and who certifies that content is key to designing a comprehensive training and recognition strategy.

If you already have a content platform and would like more information to integrate Digital Credentials into your process, write to us at info@acreditta.com. Likewise, if you don’t have a learning platform but would like to recognize courses, micro-credentials, projects, competencies, etc., please write to us! We’re ready to help you.

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