Transforming Credentialing with

Digital BadgesDonella Muzik


CESSE E&T Program Committee
Muzik & Muzik, LLC

Dr. Tracy Petrillo
Chief Learning Officer


EDUCAUSE

With additional support from Dr. Dan Hickey and Dr. James Willis, Indiana University

Today’s session…

• Discuss what research has shown to work well and what doesn’t

• EDUCAUSE Case study and discussion

• Q&A

• Overview of digital badges and why they are a transformative “new” technology

• Discuss their current use and potential uses — what about “serious” learning?

A digital badge is:
an online representation of a

learning experience, that in turn serves as a micro-credential

documenting a learners’ experience and expertise.

Video: what are badges?

Elements of Digital Badge Systems

Badge Issuer University Institute Organization

Digital Badges Competencies Skills Completion

Badge Earner Professional Student “Learner”

Badge Applications LinkedIn Facebook Employment sites

Badge Benefits Engagement Credibility Expands opportunity

• Lots of informal learning: Khan Academy, NASA, Disney/Pixar, PBS, museums

• MOOCs• Training Programs/Incentives 


(corporate and other)

• Volunteer recognition• Member engagement

How are they used so far?

https://wiki.mozilla.org/Badges/Issuers

• Provide learners with tangible milestones toward larger educational goals; engages competitive instinct — even if it’s just with oneself!

• Help learners communicate skills and demonstrate evidence• Help associations develop cohesive and strategic learning

ecosystems

• Enhance institution brand 
credibility and visibility through 
online “social” networks

• Badges used to document high 
quality, evidence-based learning will 
stand out from the others

What is their potential?

“Badges are human capital’s coin of the

realm.”
— Michael Schrage, 


HBR 2013

“Badges, not digital diplomas, seem to be the best and

likeliest bet on accreditation’s future.”

— Michael Schrage, HBR 2013

“Course content, quality and participation won’t ultimately

determine the triumph of the online educational revolution. The ability to measure and assess real learning and

skills acquisition in virtual environments will.”


— Michael Schrage, HBR 2013

• Well-designed, robust badge programs can lead to deep and lasting “authentic” knowledge

• Badged learning offers contextual learning situations and scaffolding through learning trajectories

• socially-constructed and participatory learning is engaging, transparent, and effective

• Badges create learning pathways that encourage reflection, self-regulation, and building of social capital/self-esteem (highly motivating!)

• Badges allow for ongoing formative feedback and summative assessment (rather than “grades”)

According to IU Research…

• credibility of issuer: who is granting the badge and why are they special?

• evidence portfolios and metadata are critical to demonstrating real skills

• consistency and discipline on behalf of issuer to develop and administer ecosystem

• not yet effective as an alternative to traditional credentialing in all fields or applications

• perceived as being childish — maybe a name change/rebranding is needed? Portfolio vs. Backpack?

What issues come up?

• projects with redundant badges 
struggle (i.e. 4H)

• badge programs can be issued 
with minimal evidence provided

• programs work best when 
existing content and technology 
systems already exist (because of developer time constraints and initiative complexity)

• it is easy for naysayers to get traction against badges because of these issues

Current obstacles

• basic structure of program• what’s working well• what’s not working so well• response of membership/

volunteers/employers

• brand building/credibility• what’s next for

EDUCAUSE?

Case Study: EDUCAUSEDr. Tracy Petrillo 
Chief Learning

Officer
EDUCAUSE

Dr. Tracy Petrillo@2be2learn

Break down Learning Bites

Aggregate display from unbundled learning experiences


Demonstrate KSAs

Gamify visual recognition 
and reward

Expiration? Evidenced by provider?


Speed • Self-pace • Self-confidence

B —A — 



D —G —


E —


S —

Step 1 - EARN EDUCAUSE Digital BadgingCommunity Service

Communications Leadership Development

Subject Matter Expert

Commitment to association; transfer of knowledge and skills; peer-acknowledged; helping others develop

Commitment to own learning; demonstrate

competency and skill; self-directed course of study; as

a “student” of E

www.educause.edu/badging

Communications (sample designs)

Step 2 – Issue your Badge

Step 3 – 
Display Badge

“Recognition for future knowledge & skills is not a traditional wall certificate”

“adults want learning/ credentialing in smaller chunks & faster”



@2be2learn

In 2014,2,654 issued

CommunicationsCommunity service

LeadershipSubject Matter Expertise

1,116 
accepted

(42%)

ASAE 
Gold CircleAwardee

Step 4 – 
Data to Demonstrate Value

www.educause.edu/badging

365,000 Social Media Impressions 


(viewed or shared) to date

• the changing ways in which we acquire knowledge and skills require a changing approach to acknowledging and demonstrating evidence of that knowledge and skills

• exciting way to address and corral the changing education landscape

• need forward-thinking leaders and organizations to pilot programs and create iterative change

• associations and institutions that acknowledge these truths and innovate accordingly will thrive

Conclusions

John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Mozilla, and HASTAC

10 million students and workers by 2016

A Global 
“Call to Action”

Learn more about Open Badges

openbadges.orgbadgealliance.org

remediatingassessment.blogspot.com10mbetterfutures.org (Clinton Foundation)

www.muzikandmuzik.com