1. Unit 4: Use of open badges and its integration into a non-formal course curriculum
Project ReOPEN, training event in Seville, 3th October 2017

2. Content
Granularity and stackability, important features of digital badges
Learning pathways represented by digital badges
Digital badges from learners perspective
Discussion about the future of digital credentials

3. Granularity of digital badges
Granularity as a general term
‘the quality of including a lot of small details’ (Cambridge Dictionary)
‘the quality or condition of being granular’ (Oxford Dictionary)
Granular – ‘resembling or consisting of small grains or particles’.
Digital badges represent visual representation of what an individual knows and a means to demonstrate in granular detail the depth of learning that was acquired (Nerstrom, 2015).

4. Granularity and awarding digital badges
coarse-grained
Programme badge
higher level badge
Programme
metadata
Course badge
Course
metadata
Unit badge
Unit
metadata
Topic
Topic badge
lower level badge
fine-grained
metadata

5. To think about…
In your opinion, what is the right level of granularity for individual badge?
What value will bring lower level badge?

6. Suggestion
Try to avoid carpet badging*, mass awarding of badges with little or no assessment of work.
* Term coined by Dan Hickey, 2013.

7. Educational badges topology (Biles and Plass, 2016)
Monitor learning and provide feedback on learning
Evidence of learning
Educational badges
Formative or process-based badges
Unrelated to learning goal
Related to learning goal
Complementary Tasks
Mastery (Altruistic)
Achievement (Reputation)
Learning Tasks
Mastery Focus
Achievement Focus
Summative or credentialing badges
Meta Badge
Criterion Badge

8. To think about…
Having your courses in mind, what would be an appropriate level of granularity? Discuss with your group members and shortly present your decision.

9. Stackability
Stackability (when used in the educational context) refers to the ability of badges to be built upon each other, indicating broader and deeper knowledge in a particular area.

10. Badge design patters (Poldoja and Laanpere, 2014)
Composite badges that can be achieved by completing multiple assignments.
Example of composite badges implemented in the online course “Introduction to Openness in Education” (Wiley, 2013)

11. Badge design patters (Poldoja and Laanpere, 2014)
Activity based badges that can be awarded automatically based on measurable learning activities.
Example of activity based badge (Santos et al., 2013 )

12. Badge design patters (Poldoja and Laanpere, 2014)
Grade-based badges that are based on the grades that the learners have received.
Example of grade-based badges (Rughins and Matei, 2013)

13. Badge design patters (Poldoja and Laanpere, 2014)
Hierarchical badges that are divided to several levels, some of which may be composite badges based on lower level badges.
Example of hierarchical badges (Randell et al., 2013)

14. Badge design patters (Poldoja and Laanpere, 2014)
Outcome-based badges that are developed based on learning outcomes and are issued after completing particular assignment.
Used to point out unwanted behaviour.

15. Outcome based digital badges (O’Neill, 2017)
Suggested list of the learning activities when issuing outcome-based digital badges:
Learning outcomes
Content (text, pictures, videos...)
Practice (simulations, unscored quizzes…)
Assessment (simulations, scored quizes, graded projects…)
BADGE learner mastered learning outcomes

16. Learning pathway
Learning pathway is the chosen route individuals complete as they progress through a single course, range of specific courses, academic programs and learning experiences.
Formal learning
Non-formal learning

17. Examples of implementation of digital badges
Example 1.: Digital badges in non-formal online course BlendKit: Becoming a Blended Learning Designer Example 2.: Digital badges for continuous professional development: Scottish Social Services Council Example 3.: Digital badges from technology provider: IBM’s Open Badge program

18. After issuing badges…
It is important to explain learners the benefits of digital badges and guide them trough the process of displaying it in virtual environment.
Video (Moodle 3.3. and Open Badges Backpack):
Transferring digital badge to Open Badges Backpack
Displaying external digital badges in Moodle
Managing badges in Open Badge Backpack
Displaying digital badges on social media using Open Badges Backpack

19. Future of digital microcredentials

20. Gartner Hype Cycle for Education 2016
Source:

21. Assignment 4.1: Future of digital microcredentials
Form groups of 4-5 members. Discuss the following questions:
1. Do you think that digital badges will change the open non-formal learning, and if yes, in which areas and what consequences will it have?
2. In your opinion, what are the main obstacles to broader acceptance of digital badges among learners, instructional designers, institutions providing open non-formal learning, employers…?

22. Future of digital microcredentials
Growth in corporate use for internal professional development.
Direct Connections between micro-credentials and jobs.
More university/corporate partnerships.
„Endorsements” will enhance connections between employers, professional associations, and credentials.
„Accreditation” may move to the personal, rather than institutional level.

23. Thank you for your attention!
Sabina Rako
University of Zagreb
University Computing Centre