Open badges originated in 2011 as images with embedded metadata to recognize skills and achievements, allowing learners to share verified accomplishments with employers. A 2015 UK study found open badges appeal most to people aged 16-30 and have since been used by O2 to recognize skills learned from their video tutorials and live music events. For open badges to reach their full potential, the community must collaborate to build and share learning profiles showcasing earned badges as evidence of skills is submitted, verified, and endorsed.

1. Lessons from Open Badges in the UK
RSA
22 March 2016
Tim Riches
@triches
Tim.riches@digitalme.co.uk

2. A
Learner
B
Employer

3. A
Learner
B
Employer

4. 2003-10

8. Open Badges are images with
metadata hard-coded into them
2011

12. Open data so you can go places

13. 2012

15. Findings

16. 16-30yrs
2015

17. O2 Video
O2 Academy

18. Evidence is
submitted
Evidence
is verified
Skills are
endorsed
Badges are
shared
2016

19. Building and sharing a
learning profile

21. Who's using Open Badges

23. “Open Badges can evolve best as a collaborative,
community-driven effort. Its future is brightest when
the community comes together to carry it forward.”
Mark Surman
Executive Director, Mozilla Foundation