Optional Learning

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Overview

Digital badges can be used to motive learners as well as giving them credit for things that are not formally recognised in the curriculum. Giving students formal recognition for things they do in class e.g. working well with others, can be quite a difficult thing to do in a non-digital classroom setting.

Many virtual learning environments have badging tools built in or work with third plugins to enable you to "badge" a course.

There is set of activity badges from the Talent Learning Management System encourages users to login into their online courses by awarding badges.

There is also set of perfectionism badges which encourages students to try to score highly on tests by awarding them badges

Badges Hold Information

There is a common misconception that the badge is just a "shiny sticker" - a digital version of the "great work" or smiley sticker that primary teachers often use with young children in class. However, badges can hold information which demonstrates what the learner was required to do in order to achieve the badge. They can also convey where the badge was issued and how long it is valid for.

So, students could for example, upload badges they earned in school or college into a platform like LinkedIn to give employers a more complete view of their skills and interests.

You can learn more about Badges at Frequently Asked Questions | IMS Open Badges

Why Does it Work ?

Companies like Badgr provide plugins for virtual learning environments like Moodle and Canvas that allows the easy implementation of badges.
Students get credit for the less tangible things that they do in class or on their course
Badges can help keep students motivated and on track

How could I use it?

Step 1 - Check with your virtual learning environment (vle) administrator that you have a

badging plugin. If you don't have a vle you can sign up for one at https://canvas.instructure.com/ and use the Badgr plugin.

Step 2 - Decide on an area of your course that you want to badge e.g. it could be a specific module or it even a specific topic

Step 3 - Design and download a badge here

Step 4 - Enable the conditions for the badge e.g. students has to successfully complete an end of module quiz.

It is worthwhile stating that the 4 steps above covers the process very briefly and there can be quite a lot of work in setting up badges. So, you may want to collaborate with people in your team on the initial work and you may also need some support from your Virtual Learning Environment Administrator. However, once the process has been done once it becomes easy to replicate.

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