The document discusses open digital badges, outlining their definitions, uses, and the potential benefits in work and education. It also presents various applications, criticism, and the importance of evidence in badge assessment. Notably, it emphasizes how digital badges can help address skills gaps and facilitate lifelong learning.

1. Open Digital Badges
current view / future possibilities
Jim Buckingham
January 2014

2. Open Digital Badges
current view / future possibilities
Jim (James) Buckingham
Technologist / Instructor
Zayed University
Abu Dhabi, UAE
@buckinsand
http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbuckingham
Jim Buckingham
January 2014

3. Open Digital Badges
current view / future possibilities
Outline
What you know already about
• badges
• digital badges
• open digital badges (????)
What you want to know about
• open digital badges
• how they work
• .... in work
• .... in education • possible applications “here”
• current criticism
• .... in PD

4. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
“Sheriff’s” Badge

5. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
“First Aid” Badge

6. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
“Military” Badges

7. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
“Special” Badges

8. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
Recognize these?

9. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
Scout “Merit” Badges

10. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
Recognize these?

11. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
“Skill” Badges - Royal Canadian Army Trades(1953 - 1968)

12. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
“Skill” Badges

13. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
“Skill” Badges

14. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges

15. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
... so what does a badge show?
• rank (status) military & police)
• competency (skill) First Aid & Scouts
(
• affiliation (community) Knitters
Scouts
• special interest / accomplishment (community)
• reputation / recognition (community)

16. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
... so how do you earn a badge?
earned for doing something
earned by evidencing what you did
to be earned = your evidence is assessed

17. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• badges
... so how is evidence assessed?
assessed by standards
by whose standards?

18. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

19. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?
http://www.hastac.org/digital-badges
http://www.macfound.org/programs/digital-badges/

20. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

21. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

22. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

23. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

24. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?
http://www.hastac.org/digital-badges
http://www.macfound.org/programs/digital-badges/

25. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?
http://www.hastac.org/digital-badges
http://www.macfound.org/programs/digital-badges/

26. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?
http://www.hastac.org/digital-badges
http://www.macfound.org/programs/digital-badges/

27. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

28. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

29. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

30. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so what is a digital badge?

31. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
..so how do you earn a digital badge?
earned for doing something
earned by evidencing what you did
to be earned = your evidence is assessed

32. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• digital badges
... so how is evidence assessed?
assessed by standards
whose standards?

33. Open Digital Badges - what you know about
• open digital badges
... so what is an open digital badge?

34. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges

35. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges
Mozilla Open Badges - introduction
http://youtu.be/_051cGs6n8w
duration - 3:35 min
Key Questions
• What problems are Open Digital Badges being
presented as a solution for?
• Do you think OD Badges are relevant to you as a
teacher, parent, life long learner? Why or why not?

36. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges
Mozilla Open Badges - introduction
http://youtu.be/_051cGs6n8w
duration - 3:35 min
Reflect on these questions now
• What problems are Open Digital Badges being
presented as a solution for?
• Do you think OD Badges are relevant to you as a
teacher, parent, life long learner? Why or why not?

37. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges
Mozilla Open Badges - introduction
Free and open:
Mozilla Open Badges is not proprietary.
It’s free software and an open technical standard any
organization can use to create, issue and verify digital
badges.

38. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges
Mozilla Open Badges - introduction
Transferable:
Collect badges from multiple sources, online and off,
into a single backpack. Then display your skills and
achievements on social networking profiles, job sites,
websites and more.

39. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges
Mozilla Open Badges - introduction
Stackable:
Whether they’re issued by one organization or many,
badges can build upon each other and be stacked to
tell the full story of your skills and achievements.

40. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges
Mozilla Open Badges - introduction
Evidence-based:
Open Badges are information-rich.
Each badge has important metadata which is hardcoded into the badge image file itself that links back
to the issuer, criteria and verifying evidence.

41. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work
.. in the world of work

42. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work
The Current Problem?

43. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

44. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

45. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

46. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

47. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

48. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work
The Possible Solution?

49. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

50. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

51. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

52. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

53. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work
helping to address
the “skills gap” in
manufacturing with ...

54. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work
Manufacturing Institute (USA) addresses the Skills Gap
http://youtu.be/-zRcNP5HTcg
duration - 2:36 min
Key Questions
• What skills gap is the Manufacturing Institute
referring to?
• Why is there a skills gap?
• How are Open Digital Badges going to address this?
Manufacturing Institute. (2013). The Manufacturing Institute Addresses the Skills Gap. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=-zRcNP5HTcg

55. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

56. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work

57. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work
Manufacturing Institute (USA) addresses the Skills Gap
http://youtu.be/-zRcNP5HTcg
duration - 2:36 min
Reflect on these questions now
• What skills gap is the Manufacturing Institute
referring to?
• Why is there a skills gap?
• How are Open Digital Badges going to address this?

58. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work
Bill Clinton speaking on
Digital Badges: Unlocking Two Million Better Futures
Clinton Global Initiatives - America 2013
21 June 2013
http://youtu.be/1Qq7emqbzcA
duration - 1:23 min
Key Question
• What problems are Open Digital Badges being
presented as a solution for here?
Digital Badges: Unlocking Two Million Better Futures - CGI America 2013. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=1Qq7emqbzcA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

59. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in work
Bill Clinton speaking on
Digital Badges: Unlocking Two Million Better Futures
Clinton Global Initiatives - America 2013
21 June 2013
http://youtu.be/1Qq7emqbzcA
duration - 1:23 min
Reflect on this Question now
• What problems are Open Digital Badges being
presented as a solution for here?

60. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in
education
.. in the world of education

61. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in
education
Passport by Purdue University: Digital Badges for Learning
http://youtu.be/O41-BWJ_VE0
duration - 0:51 min
Key Questions
• How has Purdue University opted to use Open
Digital badges?
• Why might Purdue University be choosing to this
option?
Passport by Purdue University: Digital Badges for Learning. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O41-BWJ_VE0

62. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in
education
Passport by Purdue University: Digital Badges for Learning
http://youtu.be/O41-BWJ_VE0
duration - 0:51 min
Reflect on these questions now
• How has Purdue University opted to use Open
Digital badges?
• Why might Purdue University be choosing to this
option?
Passport by Purdue University: Digital Badges for Learning. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O41-BWJ_VE0

63. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in education
(Canada)
https://collaborate.uwaterloo.ca/connect-it/node/314

64. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in education
(Canada)
...... embracing the ideal of the “T-shaped” graduate,
who combines deep “vertical” knowledge in a
particular domain with
a broad set of “horizontal” (knowledge) skills:
teamwork, communications, facility with data and
technology, an appreciation of diverse cultures, advanced
literacy skills, and so on.”
https://collaborate.uwaterloo.ca/connect-it/node/314

65. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in education
(Canada)
Digital badges could capture the horizontal knowledge
and skills acquired during (cooperative) learning
experiences that are otherwise difficult to represent in a
resume or university degree.
https://collaborate.uwaterloo.ca/connect-it/node/314

66. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in education
(USA)
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

67. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in education
(USA)
And a number of factors are paving the way for the rise of
the badge. Financial pressures are encouraging more and
more academic institutions to take a long hard look at
their programs to make sure that students are learning
what they say there are. Those same financial pressures
are affecting our students, pushing people to look
for opportunities to learn without crushing their savings
or incurring extensive debt
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

68. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
• open digital badges .... in education
(USA)
And with the support of technology, that means a new era
of learning through MOOCs and open educational
resources, or the less formal YouTube videos, podcasts,
or communities of practice. Add in gamification, the rise of
learning analytics, and students perpetually looking for
opportunities to and you’ve created a climate in need of
exactly what the digital badges bring to the table. What
do individuals know? This is the question badges are here
to solve.
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

69. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
PD
• open digital badges .... in education
.. in the world of PD
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

70. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
PD
• open digital badges .... in education
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

71. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
PD
• open digital badges .... in education
.. but the problem with this is it is NOT open.
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

72. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
PD
• open digital badges .... in education
credly.com
http://www.trainingmag.com/credentials/?ID=38080

73. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
PD
• open digital badges .... in education
credly.com
http://www.trainingmag.com/credentials/?ID=38080

74. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
PD
• open digital badges .... in education
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

75. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education
.. just how do badges work?
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

76. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education
Key Questions
• How do Digital Open Badges work?
• What makes up a Digital Open Badges system?
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

77. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

78. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

79. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

80. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

81. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

82. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

83. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

84. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

85. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

86. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
how they work
• open digital badges .... in education

87. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
possible applications “here”
application
• open digital badges .... in education
Digital badges could capture the horizontal knowledge
and skills acquired during (cooperative) learning
experiences that are otherwise difficult to represent in a
resume or university degree.
recognize outreach activities
recognize volunteer efforts
counter siloing
encourage informal / self directed learning

88. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
possible applications “here”
• open digital badges .... in education
While the student audience seems like the most practical
users of such a feature, imagine the impact digital badges
could have for staff. Digital badges could be used to
represent the training, skills and abilities staff possess in a
variety of areas. Instead of being ‘that web guy’ or ‘that
developer person’, badges could be used to help depict a
more holistic view of an individual. We start to learn a little
more about a person and where their passions, interests
and skills lay outside of their specific job description
Professional Development

89. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
current criticism
• open digital badges .... in education
... criticism?
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

90. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
current criticism
• open digital badges .... in education
Key Question
• What are the critics saying?
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

91. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
current criticism
• open digital badges .... in education
A type of extrinsic motivator that competes with an
individual's intrinsic motivation for accomplishment
and mastery
Gives out rewards for things that individuals or
students should already be doing; take away the
badge.. and the desired behaviour disappears
Over reliance on extrinsic motivation
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

92. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
current criticism
• open digital badges .... in education
Badges reward tasks that are not inherently
interesting to badge recipients because they are
created to promote behavior that aligns with the goals
of the badge issuer and not necessarily the badge
recipient
(Dave Cormier)
Not student centered or driven
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

93. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
current criticism
• open digital badges .... in education
Performance is not directly observed so there could
be some difficulty in making sure that the badge is
awarded to the person who completed the
assignment
Validity / Security
http://gaming.psu.edu/gamification/digital-badges/

94. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
current criticism
• open digital badges .... in education
My purpose?
To provide you with a quick introduction to Digital
Open Badges and the potential being seen in them by
various groups both within and outside education.
Thank you

95. Open Digital Badges - what you want to know
Partial References
• open digital badges .... in education
Blackboard Learn Quick Hit Video -- Achievements. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr6DKgx4sH8&feature=youtube_gdata_player
dwallace. (2013, July 10). Digital Badges: tracking our “horizontal” skills. University of Waterloo | Groups | uWaterloo Connect IT. Retrieved from https://
collaborate.uwaterloo.ca/connect-it/node/314
Edmodo. (n.d.). Edmodo. Retrieved December 14, 2013, from https://support.edmodo.com/home
Educational Gaming Commons. (n.d.). Educational Gaming Commons. Retrieved December 10, 2013, from http://gaming.psu.edu/
Foursquare - How to get the Barista (Starbucks) Badge? (n.d.). Retrieved December 14, 2013, from index.html
Khan Academy. (n.d.). Badges | Khan Academy. Khan Academy. Retrieved December 10, 2013, from https://www.khanacademy.org/badges
MacArthur Foundation. (2013). Digital Badges. MacArthur Foundation. Retrieved from http://www.macfound.org/programs/digital-badges/
Manufacturing Institute. (2013). Skills Certification System. Manufacturing Institute. Retrieved from http://www.themanufacturinginstitute.org/Skills-Certification/
Skills-Certification-System.aspx
Mozilla. (n.d.). Mozilla Backpack. Mozilla. Retrieved from http://backpack.openbadges.org
MozillaWiki. (n.d.). Badge/Issuers. MozillaWiki. Retrieved from https://wiki.mozilla.org/Badges/Issuers
Opensource.com. (n.d.). Points and badges. opensource.com. Retrieved from http://opensource.com/points-and-badges
Passport by Purdue University: Digital Badges for Learning. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O41BWJ_VE0&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Put your training to work for you. (2012). Badges for VETS. Retrieved from https://badgesforvets.org/badges.html
Resnick, M. (2012, February 27). Still a Badge Skeptic. HASTAC. Retrieved December 3, 2013, from http://www.hastac.org/blogs/mres/2012/02/27/still-badgeskeptic
SLANZA. (2013, July 21). Badges created by SLANZA. badg.us. Retrieved from http://badg.us/en-US/profiles/profile/slanzawiki
Training Magazine. (2013). Training Magazine Digital Credential. Training. Retrieved from http://www.trainingmag.com/credentials/?ID=38080
TripAdvisor begins handing out badges to reviewers. (n.d.). Tnooz. Retrieved December 14, 2013, from http://www.tnooz.com/article/tripadvisor-begins-handing-outbadges-to-reviewers/
What Is A Badge? (2013). Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgLLq7ybDtc&feature=youtube_gdata_player