Launched in Australia in 2020 and scaling internationally including to the U.S., the International Big Picture Learning Credential (IBPLC) began as an alternative to the traditional Australian diploma. Public universities in Australia accept the IBPLC as equal to the traditional high school diploma for university admissions consideration. The IBPLC stands for deeper learning through competency-based learning pathways (acquired inside and outside of school) along with personalized approaches that are hallmarks of what is known as “Big Picture Learning.”  The IBPLC is viewed as an exemplar for next gen credentials because:

• It focuses on learners as drivers of their own journeys through education.
• Students have voice and choice in what is included on their Learner Profiles.
• It documents complex learning within and outside of the school setting.
• Its multi-faceted assessments guarantee learners of all types can show what they know to earn proficiency.
• It offers a new concept of a high school credential that provides greater value to the learner in showing what they know and can do (compared to traditional diploma).

The concept behind Big Picture Learning is designing schools where individuals learn how to learn, not where they are instructed in discrete topics, subjects, or information. Five learning goals typically frame how learners approach their work: 1) empirical reasoning, 2) quantitative reasoning, 3) communication, 4) social reasoning, and 5) personal qualities. Authentic assessments (public displays of learning that track growth and progress in the learner’s area of interest) are how learning is demonstrated.  These can include oral presentations, art projects, business plans, or stories. Learners engage in advisories and internships, stay together in cohorts for years to build bonds and relationships, and build social capital. The design also focuses on Learning through Interests and Internships (LTIs). LTIs are personalized, relevant, and contextualized learning. Learners identify their area of interest, then find an opportunity to work with an expert in the community. This approach aligns individual interests with real-world learning.