Session Type
Full Papers/Presentations Session Proposal (up to 75 minutes)
Topic
Technology and Teaching, Innovative Teaching Strategies, Post-traditional Students
Session Abstract
Digital badges are online records of achievements that are awarded to learners for mastery of a specific set of educational contents. Often referred to as micro-credentials, digital badges are being used by many higher education institutions to assess and validate clearly defined chunks of knowledge, competency, or accomplishment.
At present, the use of digital badges is widespread. As a result, the perception exists that digital badges might be over-sold and over-hyped, as an assessment tool. Instructional design practice, however, reveals that learning objectives are best attained when course contents are broken into manageable chunks. In this context, digital badges, serving as visible proofs of learning achievement or mastery of new skills, can thus help build the recipient’s self-confidence and strengthen his/her intrinsic motivation.
Further, a digital badge system that is used as part of a course provides critical feedback to instructors regarding learners’ performance. Thus, from a summative assessment standpoint, instructors have the opportunity to gauge learners’ engagement, persistence and achievement simply by examining the number and types of badges issued in their courses.
At present, there are no agreed-upon measures for what types of learning contents equate to the award of a digital badge. As a result, acceptance of digital badges outside of its issuing organization is limited. However, many third party organizations such as Mozilla are exploring ways in which to increase portability and transferability of digital badges.
In this session, we provide an overview of digital badges. We will also examine how a digital badge system could possibly be implemented at Winthrop. Finally, we will look at the benefits and challenges of implementing digital badges or achievements in different educational settings such as non-credit programs, certificates offerings or regular courses.
Keywords
Digital Badges, Micro-Credentials, Certification
Location
DiGiorgio Campus Center 222
Start Date
6-2-2016 2:55 PM
Digital Badges As Micro-Credentials: An Opportunity to Improve Learning or Just another Education Technology Fad?
DiGiorgio Campus Center 222
Digital badges are online records of achievements that are awarded to learners for mastery of a specific set of educational contents. Often referred to as micro-credentials, digital badges are being used by many higher education institutions to assess and validate clearly defined chunks of knowledge, competency, or accomplishment.
At present, the use of digital badges is widespread. As a result, the perception exists that digital badges might be over-sold and over-hyped, as an assessment tool. Instructional design practice, however, reveals that learning objectives are best attained when course contents are broken into manageable chunks. In this context, digital badges, serving as visible proofs of learning achievement or mastery of new skills, can thus help build the recipient’s self-confidence and strengthen his/her intrinsic motivation.
Further, a digital badge system that is used as part of a course provides critical feedback to instructors regarding learners’ performance. Thus, from a summative assessment standpoint, instructors have the opportunity to gauge learners’ engagement, persistence and achievement simply by examining the number and types of badges issued in their courses.
At present, there are no agreed-upon measures for what types of learning contents equate to the award of a digital badge. As a result, acceptance of digital badges outside of its issuing organization is limited. However, many third party organizations such as Mozilla are exploring ways in which to increase portability and transferability of digital badges.
In this session, we provide an overview of digital badges. We will also examine how a digital badge system could possibly be implemented at Winthrop. Finally, we will look at the benefits and challenges of implementing digital badges or achievements in different educational settings such as non-credit programs, certificates offerings or regular courses.
