What are Digital Badges:
visual based, digital representation of learning, backed by meta data that shows skills and progression web-enabled tokens of accomplishment displayed in back-packs and user choosen web-sites “re-imaging credentials for a new culture of learning” - Badge Alliance, Megan Cole (from webinar)What do they offer:
easily shared combine learning in and out of school holistic representation of a person’s learning and experience explicitly recognise a range of knowledge and skills motivation through value, goal setting, collaboration, competition, privileges a digital way to link to evidence i.e. artefacts ability to match projects to individuals based on skills set required
Why would you use them:
provide detailed record of learning focus on a wide array of skills, including informal learning detailed evidence provide a visual learning pathway granular recognition of skill development and learning; specific detail enable learners to set small manageable goals provide different forms of assessment
What is needed to be considered:
needs of learners/audience transportability Possibility of printing for certfication purposes (until badges more known)
What is needed for a robust badge system:
validation system standards quality of learning badges need design to communicate value to those not familiar with them Link into standards/teacher registration robust design peer awarded badges need to valid (unlike linkedin)
Who else is engaging with the badging concept:
Scotland Purdue/Indiana UK
How are they awarded:
by peers/community by instructor/institution self-awarded
What are the risks:
copying of badges/validation emerging concept still evolving
Design features of badges:
Do they expire link to evidence
Language we want to use:
Granular - building up of badges/pathway
Meta-Badge - awarded on completion of a set of lower badges
Macro-achievments/macro-badges