Micro-credentialing and digital badging are becoming popular methods to quickly acquire new skills and education, and then display that mastery across multiple platforms.  Micro-credentialing is a workshop, short class, or program offered to acquire new hard or soft skills related to a position, field, or class (University of Denver, n.d.).  Digital badges, at first look, may seem like ordinary images or symbols but are used to visually represent the micro-credential received.  Behind them, they contain the type of certification, and the knowledge and skills required to receive the badge (Digital Promise, 2023).

Before implementing micro-credentialing into a course, the instructor or the organization must decide on the most feasible and economical approach to incorporating a badging system into their curriculum.  While micro-credentialing may not be as desirable within a course setting, providing digital badges is a good way to promote motivation and reward students as they progress through the semester.  Digital badges are also a good way to display a list of hard and soft skills achieved through the coursework.  

Using Digital Badges in a Course 

There are several strategies that instructors can enact within a course for using digital badges.

1. Badges as Awards: Depending on the course subject, instructors can think of their courses as a game, with the badges as awards. What would the badge reward the learner for accomplishing? What achievement does it symbolize? Will this badge be appealing enough to motivate learners to work toward one?  By providing these badges during intermittent times throughout the semester, students may feel more encouraged, and motivated, and have a desire to want to succeed in their courses.
2. Badges for Coursework Completion: Badges can be given to learners for completion of a set amount of coursework, or if they have participated in specific learning activities.  These badges can be designed with the skills identified in the learning objectives for either the module or the activity.
3. Badges as Passes: These badges could be utilized as virtual passes to be used at the instructor’s discretion.  For example, if there are supplementary quizzes given, learners who have obtained a mastery badge of the same content could use the pass to skip such quizzes.

Once the purpose is decided, and the strategies planned, the instructor can use the integrated awards system in D2L to create and award digital badges. Printable certificates are also offered within this tool.  All the necessary functions to issue digital badges can be accessed through the Award tab in the Navigation bar. Instructors can award badges at the end of each module or after the completion of a set of specified conditions. Depending on the instructor, a notification within D2L, or an email notification can be created for any achievement earned by the learners. In addition to acquiring the badges (and certificates), learners can also share them on their ePortfolios, and even their LinkedIn accounts.  

Using Digital Badges for Future Employment 

Many organizations are starting to adopt the digital badging trend, a blog by David Leaser stated that his company succeeded in implementing a badging program (Pakstis, 2019). He stated that 87% of his employees gave feedback saying they were more engaged due to the badges, while another 72% said they felt their achievements were recognized thanks to the badges (Pakstis, 2019).

The supporting research shows the effectiveness of digital badging from micro-credentialing. It motivates learners and employees to strive further and excel, which benefits them too, as companies globally are gradually accepting digital badges on resumes. In an SNHU article, the author stated: “When you’re searching for a job, these emblems allow potential employers to know that you have demonstrated proficiency in a certain area. While some applicants may simply list their skills, you can set yourself apart by offering real proof of what you can do” (Girolimon, 2023, para. 16)  

Digital badges obtained through micro-credentialing are the future, not only in education but in the employment world too. When designed with the hard and soft skills that learners and future employers find of interest, these small symbols can be shining examples of accomplishments. These badges are virtual, portable, and convenient to display. They can also be easily implemented into a course.  

If you need assistance with finding ways to incorporate badging and certificates in your course or how to set them up in D2L, please let us know.  The SCSU Online and Distance Learning team can provide you with instructions, and suggestions, and walk you through the updated process.  Reach out to us via email or through Bookings.

Additional Reading:

For more information on any of the following topics, please check out our previous blog articles.

• Engaging Learners in the eLearning Classroom
• The Added Value of Bringing Professional Experiences into Your Courses
• Designing S.M.A.R.T and Measurable Student Learning Outcomes

References: 

Avcı, B. (2023). What is digital badging and how it Is used?. Sertifier Blog. https://sertifier.com/blog/what-is-digital-badging-and-how-it-is-used/  

Galindo, M. (2023, April 13). The relationship between digital badges and micro-credentials. Digital Promise. https://digitalpromise.org/2023/04/13/the-relationship-between-digital-badges-and-micro-credentials/#:~:text=Digital%20badges%20are%20electronic%20representations,sharing%20and%20verification%20of%20skills

Girolimon, M. (2023). What is a digital badge? Southern New Hampshire University. https://www.snhu.edu/about-us/newsroom/career/what-is-a-digital-badge  

Kazal, A. (2022). Photo of a backpack with badge [Photograph]. Pexel.  https://www.pexels.com/photo/souvenirs-on-gray-backpack-10771786/ 

Pakstis, S. (2019). For organizations and learners, the benefits of badging are clear. Harvard Business Publishing.  https://www.harvardbusiness.org/for-organizations-and-learners-the-benefits-of-badging-are-clear/#:~:text=Badging%3A,with%20the%20skills%20they%20need  

University of Denver. (n.d.). Micro-credentials and Badges. Office of the Registrar. Retrieved December 8, 2023 from https://www.du.edu/registrar/academic-programs/micro-credentials-badges#:~:text=A%20micro%2Dcredential%20is%20a,to%20showcase%20the%20earner’s%20achievement 

 

 

Cavan Cheong is an Instructional Designer Graduate Assistant with the Online and Distance Learning Department at St. Cloud State University. He has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and experience in the hospitality industry. Currently, he is pursuing his master’s in business administration at St. Cloud State University.