A Badges Tale THE GOOD, THE BAD THE UGLY

What is a badge?

How are they used? Workplace Civic organizations Informal Education Formal Education Socially

Civic & Community Uses Local Institutions  Johnson County Library Cities of Learning  Chicago  Los Angeles Badges for Vets

Educational Uses Alternative Transcripts

Educational Uses Modular Credits – Kentucky Community College System

Educational Uses Micro-Programs

My experiment Developmental Writing Class In-depth play with language and grammar Sentence Imitation Sentence Expansion Sentence Combination Badges introduced in class, then students worked on their own— two badge lab days in class

Syllabus description Introduction to Writing– Fall 2013 Badges Most of the direct instruction in grammar and manipulating language will be done independently by earning a series of badges in sentence imitation, sentence expansion, and sentence combination. You will earn your first three badges in class to get you started and there will be some open days for you to bring in problems. In addition, I will always take questions about the problems posed in the badges challenges both in class and during office hours. The badges will be digital badges issued by Credly. I will help you set up a badges page in Google Sites where we can both measure your progress. In addition, if you would like you will be able to share your badges on social media sites. Badges are sequential—the Sentence Combining #3 badge will not be available to you until you have completed the work and earned Sentence Combining badge #2.

Grading 12 badges = 210 pts. 11 badges = 200 pts. 10 badges = 190 pts. 9 badges = 180 pts. 8 badges = 170 pts. 7 badges = 160 pts. 6 badges = 150 pts. Less than 6 badges = 100 pts.

Challenge #1 -- Mapping  Determine number of badges  How many required?  How much choice?  Sequential or stand-alone?  3 categories (imitation, expansion, combination)  4 levels (word focus, phrase/clause focus, sentence focus, paragraph focus)

Challenge #2 – Self-grading materials  Fast feedback motivates  Does it fit your pedagogy?  Capstone activities Sentence Imitation #1

Challenge #3 – Orientation for students  Explain digital badges  Walk students through first badges and materials  Motivation for completing

Results  Participation mixed  No noticeable change in writing abilities but more tech savvy by December!  Unexpected issues  Reading  Technology issue

Experiment #2 Habits of Mind Badges Curiosity Openness Engagement Creativity Persistence Responsibility Flexibility Metacognition

Next Time:  More choices & less “school”  More activity, less text  Less teacher-centered  Matching motivations to population  Types of challenges  Visibility

Design Badge  Objective for badge  Activity introducing concept  Activities deepening knowledge  Application capstone