How Digital Credentials can help to create Learning Pathways for Students Connecting Formal and Informal Learnings Together
Digital badges have been gaining momentum in the education sector as a way to validate digital learners and measure their proficiency in specific digital skills. A digital badge is an electronic credential that represents a verified skill or set of skills, such as proficiency in a software application, computer programming language, or another measurable digital skill. If you’re thinking about implementing digital badges with your learners, you’re not alone. Many organizations and individuals have made it their mission to bring digital badges into the education system. But how can you make it work for your organization? There are several ways to implement digital badges:
Implementing Digital Badges Program
Before you can start offering badges to your learners, you’ll first need to decide which badges you want to introduce to your platform. There are two main types of badges: – Competency-based badges are based on the level of proficiency that a learner has demonstrated in a specific skill. For example, you may offer a badge for “proficiency in basic search engine optimization techniques.” – Subject- or topic-based badges are based on the subject matter that a learner has studied. For example, you may offer badges for “understanding of SEO best practices” or “ability to conduct keyword research.”
Create a program for earning digital badges
If you’ve chosen a specific set of skills that learners will have to master in order to earn a badge, you’ll need to create a program to track their progress. Some programs integrate with existing LMS systems and others exist as stand-alone platforms. – To integrate badges with your LMS, you’ll need to use a third-party plug-in. Several companies offer this service, including TruScholar (offers badge program management), Badgr(offers badge program management), and Credly (offers badge program management). – If you choose a stand-alone badge program, you’ll need to set up an assessment system for each badge.
Set up an assessment system for earning badges
To earn their badges, learners must first pass an assessment. Assessment systems can vary depending on the platform you choose: – Some badge platforms, do come with built-in assessment tools that allow you to create custom quizzes and surveys. – Other systems allow you to import pre-existing assessments, such as those provided by AP or CLEP exams, or even manually assess learners.
Install a platform that supports your learning path
Digital badges are good, but they’re even better when they’re part of a larger pathway. A learning path is a sequence of skills that leads to an overarching goal, such as a promotion or a new job title. A learning path can be as simple as a list of skills that you want your learners to master. To make your learning path more engaging, you can introduce badges and/or track your learners’ progress through the learning path using software. There are two main types of software for creating learning paths: – Credly and TruScholar are two platforms that allow you to create learning paths and track learners’ progress. TruScholar allows you to create a wide range of learning paths, from basic lists of skills to full-fledged badges. Credly’s main strength is in its badge creator.
Wrapping up
Digital badges are a great way to validate your digital learners and measure their proficiency in specific digital skills. To implement a digital badge program, you’ll need to decide which badges you want to offer, create a program for earning badges, set up an assessment system for earning badges, and install a platform that supports your learning path.
