#badgechat Archive

#BadgeChat was founded in December, 2014 by a group of educators who are passionate about credentialing learning and achieving. While there are thousands of us around the globe issuing badges to learners, there was not yet a regular twitter chat for those of us in the K-12 space to gather for learning and sharing about badging. After reaching out to leaders in the field (like the good folks at Mozilla and The Badge Alliance) for their thoughts, #BadgeChat was born.

Monday April 9, 2018
6:30 PM EDT

  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:30 PM EDT
    Happy Monday and welcome to #BadgeChat! Please introduce yourself before we jump into this week's questions
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:31 PM EDT
    I'm Noah in Denver. Proud collaborator w @aurorak12 and others in changing the world with Micro-Credentials and lead organizer of #BadgeSummit https://t.co/TPSB4ep8yX #badgechat
  • Kyle_Clements1 Apr 9 @ 6:33 PM EDT
    Time for this week's #BadgeChat! I'm Kyle, finishing up my work on an employee training program using #OpenBadges.
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:33 PM EDT
    Learning Designer in the house!!!! Thanks for being here Kyle #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:35 PM EDT
    All are welcome to jump in anytime (just remember to use #BadgeChat so we see it:) And if you're just lurking, we value your own form of engagement! First question coming up...
  • Dale_Chu Apr 9 @ 6:35 PM EDT
    HAPPENING NOW: @SenorG moderating a chat on end of the year badge pilots. Follow along at #BadgeChat!
  • Martin_H_Dunphy Apr 9 @ 6:35 PM EDT
    A1: #badgechat End of the year 'can' be a great time for a pilot so that you can find what works vs what doesn't and iterate towards a stronger roll out the following year. That said, making sure you have appropriate buy in for the pilot is key.
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:35 PM EDT
    Q1: What is it about the end of the year that can make it a perfect time to try something new? #badgechat
  • IA_TAOF Apr 9 @ 6:35 PM EDT
    Randy Macdonald, Program Manager for Innovation Academy, an after school CS & STEM program for middle and high school students in Oregon & program manager of SuperQuest, @OregonCSTA PD program for K-12 CS Ed in OR. Beginning to use digital badges for @OregonCSTA PD #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:36 PM EDT
    Hola Martin! Great point to highlight "CAN" as it's also possible to be a terrible time:) Any thoughts about how to be seek the appropriate buy in you suggest? #badgechat
    In reply to @Martin_H_Dunphy
  • Kyle_Clements1 Apr 9 @ 6:36 PM EDT
    A1) Doing something at the end of the year requires you to start small! #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:36 PM EDT
    Welcome Randy! #badgechat
    In reply to @IA_TAOF, @oregoncsta
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:36 PM EDT
    Beat me to it:) #badgechat
  • IA_TAOF Apr 9 @ 6:37 PM EDT
    A1: Students & Teachers can get into ruts and some new form of recognition like #digitalbadges can help them stay motivated :-) #badgechat
  • wsuchris Apr 9 @ 6:38 PM EDT
    I'm taking part in this week's #badgechat conversation for the next 30 minutes. What will you do today with #openbadges? @senorG is moderating & providing the community with topics/questions to consider.
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:38 PM EDT
    This time of year I'm always excited about what's new...and as long as I stick with the established programs, it's easier to actually try out the new without attracting critical attention from leadership #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:38 PM EDT
    Thanks for joining! #badgechat
    In reply to @wsuchris
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:39 PM EDT
    Love that you brought up MOTIVATION. Right after Spring Break, that can be in short supply! #badgechat
    In reply to @IA_TAOF
  • ottonomy - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:39 PM EDT
    #BadgeChat starts now! Finish up your year with a badge pilot!
    • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 1:22 PM EDT
      5 hours until #BadgeChat! Join us at 4:30 MT | 6:30 ET for this week's convo about using the end of the year to jump in the sandbox and run a Badge pilot
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:40 PM EDT
    Feel free to keep rolling with first question...and be ready bc second one is coming in hot #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:41 PM EDT
    Q2: For someone wanting to get started with a Badging pilot, what are some things they could they do? #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:42 PM EDT
    A2: For final projects, we could badge the granular pieces that go into it like research, interviews, peer revisions, etc #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:42 PM EDT
    A2: Clubs and extracurriculars could be sweet spots for Spring badging pilots #badgechat
  • IA_TAOF Apr 9 @ 6:43 PM EDT
    A2: Find some who is already doing one or has some experience with badging to give you some starting tips or even some digital badges to start with. No need to reinvent the digital wheel. ;-) #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:44 PM EDT
    A2: With school staff, a badging pilot could be something fun and light-hearted as a way of helping people get their feet wet... #badgechat
  • BadgrTeam Apr 9 @ 6:44 PM EDT
    Happy Monday #badgechat (ers)! Kim from the Badgr Team here, thinking... A1: The fun is memorable, even if the badging basics aren’t set yet.
  • taykendesign Apr 9 @ 6:44 PM EDT
    Work is in, opinions formed...why not take a chance and inform the next iteration? #badgechat
    In reply to @SenorG
  • teresagross625 Apr 9 @ 6:44 PM EDT
    Hmmmmm that's a good idea! #badgechat
    In reply to @SenorG
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:45 PM EDT
    Great pro tip! Asking around before starting can help prevent making super avoidable missteps #badgechat
    • IA_TAOF Apr 9 @ 6:43 PM EDT
      A2: Find some who is already doing one or has some experience with badging to give you some starting tips or even some digital badges to start with. No need to reinvent the digital wheel. ;-) #badgechat
  • taykendesign Apr 9 @ 6:45 PM EDT
    That’s the key...badge granularly and scale what works. #badgechat
    • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:42 PM EDT
      A2: For final projects, we could badge the granular pieces that go into it like research, interviews, peer revisions, etc #badgechat
  • BadgrTeam Apr 9 @ 6:45 PM EDT
    A2: Pick something small (low-risk), engaging and fun to start with - #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:46 PM EDT
    YES!!! We are doing zero people zero favors if kick things off and leave out the f-u-n #badgechat
    • BadgrTeam Apr 9 @ 6:45 PM EDT
      A2: Pick something small (low-risk), engaging and fun to start with - #badgechat
  • teresagross625 Apr 9 @ 6:46 PM EDT
    I like the idea of trying something out at the end of the year. June is our last month, might be a good time to try.... #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:46 PM EDT
    Hola Teresa!!!! Great to have you following along tonight! #badgechat
    In reply to @teresagross625
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:47 PM EDT
    Fire in the hole on question 3... #badgechat
  • capt_info Apr 9 @ 6:47 PM EDT
    Q1: "What better place than here? What better time than now?" Tuning in for my first #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:47 PM EDT
    Bam!!!! #badgechat
    • capt_info Apr 9 @ 6:47 PM EDT
      Q1: "What better place than here? What better time than now?" Tuning in for my first #badgechat
  • teresagross625 Apr 9 @ 6:47 PM EDT
    Thank you! Love gathering ideas! #badgechat
    In reply to @SenorG
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:47 PM EDT
    Q3: Having goals can help guide our efforts. Are there any goals you can suggest for an end of the year Badge pilot? #badgechat
  • IA_TAOF Apr 9 @ 6:48 PM EDT
    Yes! Low risk and expectations, plus extracurricular activities often don't get the recognition they deserve. :-) #badgechat
  • Kyle_Clements1 Apr 9 @ 6:48 PM EDT
    A3: Determine whether a specific badge issuing tool fits with your workflow, or if you should try something else. #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:49 PM EDT
    A3: I'm a believer in the 'A' in SMART Goals ("Achievable") and thinking ahead about what won't break my back and spirit but will still be impressive enough to inspire support as long as goals are met #badgechat
  • IA_TAOF Apr 9 @ 6:50 PM EDT
    A3: Award one badge, recognizing some level of learning to each of your students or teachers #badgechat
  • wsuchris Apr 9 @ 6:50 PM EDT
    A3 & A4: A shared vocabulary needs to be established. What can we take from the Daily Vocabulary being used by the parents, teachers, staff, and community, to propel a new badge project into a position of instant relevancy and adoption? #badgechat #iterativeapproach #bi #edtech
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:50 PM EDT
    Great point! Treat a badge pilot as Vendor Tinder...date around while it's low stakes, see who you like before getting married:) #badgechat
    • Kyle_Clements1 Apr 9 @ 6:48 PM EDT
      A3: Determine whether a specific badge issuing tool fits with your workflow, or if you should try something else. #badgechat
  • teresagross625 Apr 9 @ 6:50 PM EDT
    LOVE SMART Goals. #badgechat
    In reply to @SenorG
  • BadgrTeam Apr 9 @ 6:50 PM EDT
    A3: Maybe tying the badges to learning outside the classroom - field trip, club sport, etc. with an easy to earn badge. Everyone can participate #badgechat Q3: Having goals can help guide our efforts. Are there any goals you can suggest for an end of the year Badge pilot?
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:51 PM EDT
    Love Love Love this!!!! I've seen so many people invest hours and hours into planning and then not issue a single badge. Setting a goal to issue 1 is actually and in all seriousness a super smart goal #badgechat
    • IA_TAOF Apr 9 @ 6:50 PM EDT
      A3: Award one badge, recognizing some level of learning to each of your students or teachers #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:52 PM EDT
    This is so thoughtful! The vernacular DOES matter and we're wise to tap into the language that is already familiar to our community #badgechat
    • wsuchris Apr 9 @ 6:50 PM EDT
      A3 & A4: A shared vocabulary needs to be established. What can we take from the Daily Vocabulary being used by the parents, teachers, staff, and community, to propel a new badge project into a position of instant relevancy and adoption? #badgechat #iterativeapproach #bi #edtech
  • teresagross625 Apr 9 @ 6:53 PM EDT
    I couldn't imagine doing all that work for nothing......yikes! #badgechat
    In reply to @SenorG
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:53 PM EDT
    Eak, got caught up and almost didn't leave time for fourth question. Coming up! #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:53 PM EDT
    Q4: Sustainability is always important. What key considerations can help us avoid creating an unsustainable pilot? #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:54 PM EDT
    Great idea Kim! Love the idea of connecting to field trips!!! #badgechat
    In reply to @BadgrTeam
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:55 PM EDT
    Ours is a profession of perfectionists, many of whom are prone to confusing being under-planned with being under-prepared. This can lead to paralysis by planning and, ultimately, never getting to launch. #badgechat
    In reply to @teresagross625
  • IA_TAOF Apr 9 @ 6:55 PM EDT
    A4: Try to get buy in from as many stakeholders as possible. Start with the low hanging fruit (students, parents & teachers) and reach higher (administrators, employers, etc.) as you expand. #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:56 PM EDT
    A4: Beware the app smash. What feels clever on the front end can lead to all-consuming time-intensive busy work on the back end #badgechat
  • teresagross625 Apr 9 @ 6:57 PM EDT
    Thanks for the ideas! Have a wonderful evening! #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:58 PM EDT
    A4: Repeating what Kyle and Kim have both suggested: Start Small! When (not if) things fail to go as planned, the necessary pivots are proportionally less painful the smaller we've started #badgechat
  • BadgrTeam Apr 9 @ 6:59 PM EDT
    A4: Nobody wants to finish up a school project in summer. Keep it small and manageable; easy to understand what the award is for; and design the work for a single point in time. #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 6:59 PM EDT
    Thanks to all who joined! Loved to see some new folks tweeting and lurking. Feel free to share news, updates and resources on your way out. I'll remind everyone that #BadgeSummit is June 23 in Chicago! #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 7:00 PM EDT
    Oh, and for a resource share, anyone thinking about K-12 Badging at scale is highly encouraged to check out the @AuroraK12 work https://t.co/6ZwuFdH2Be #badgechat
  • SenorG - Moderator Apr 9 @ 7:02 PM EDT
    Have a Badge worthy week everyone! I have to run right away to meet some friends at an escape room so sorry in advance for delayed responses to post-chat followups! #badgechat
  • capt_info Apr 9 @ 7:02 PM EDT
    A4: Been thinking about this. Seems like making the value add of badges understandable to all stakeholders, and at each phase of a pilot, is important (but tricky) #badgechat