#BadgeChatK12 Archive
#BadgeChatK12 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, #BadgeChatK12 was born.
Monday June 6, 2016
We want to hear your thoughts on WHY Badges matter. Plz include in your tweets
Welcome to ! Let’s get to know each other. What do you teach? Where are you? Do you use badges or just curious?
Glad to be back at this week! We are Santa Barbara-based and issue badges around competency based PD for educators.
I'm Noah in Denver and a passionate believer in micro-credentials' power to recognize assets and open doors of opportunity!
Might be an intimate chat today which is fine:) Question 1 on the way...
Q1: When issuing PD Badges, what do we tell Teachers who ask WHY?
Hi! Lucas Gillispie - NC - I use badges with teachers for PD!
AWEsome to have you here Lucas! You're a perfect person for Q1:) Bummed we won't see you at
A1: Badges acknowledge prior learning while also communicating new skills and evidence of learning to advance your career.
A1: One answer is that it recognizes teachers for their PD in a way we can return to later in order to tap their expertise
A1 - Badges are a way to recognize and show off YOUR progress and achievements in professional learning.
Yes! So important that it go beyond recognition of learning to actively serving career advancement https://t.co/RDce9958IQ
A1: Badges acknowledge prior learning while also communicating new skills and evidence of learning to advance your career.
I like that word choice: "return to later in order to tap their expertise." https://t.co/Wx7RDrsVLB
A1: One answer is that it recognizes teachers for their PD in a way we can return to later in order to tap their expertise
- Glad to be here!! Bummed too, but it conflicts with my Minecraft Game Design Camp!
This idea of *progress* is a huge. Micro-credentials can be more granular than graduate degree for ex https://t.co/iFxL0WQCMe
A1 - Badges are a way to recognize and show off YOUR progress and achievements in professional learning.
A1: pointed out that Badges can help admin keep track of who/where the experts are. This values T's previous work
Yes! When I play WoW/other games, there's a feeling of "blissful productivity" when I "level up!" (channeling my )
Plus it's easier to "mix and match" on a granular level, allowing you to sample different topics. https://t.co/jMQKXFx3bz
This idea of *progress* is a huge. Micro-credentials can be more granular than graduate degree for ex https://t.co/iFxL0WQCMe
A1 - Badges are a way to recognize and show off YOUR progress and achievements in professional learning.
- Agreed! We spend so much time talking personalization for Ss, why not Ts?
So much institutional knowledge is lost each year w each new training/initiative...Badges can help change that
Hi ! Randomly saw this via 's feed. Instructional Tech Specialist in GA and GBL fan. Jumping in as I can!
YES! Ts expected to differentiate/personalize for Ss should have expectations of same in their PD!
Welcome! Glad to have you with us!
- Cat!!! Glad you're here!
Let's push to Question 2 and the student lens...
Q2: When issuing Badges to Ss, what do we tell Kids who ask WHY?
💛 Missing all my GBL people something fierce!
A2 - So your accomplishments don't simply end up in the landfill. You own it! You can take it with you!
While you'll be missed Lucas, you'll also have FOMO as creator of Oregon Trail speaks
Sorry I'm late! I'm Shelly from Texas using badges in highered & teacher prof deb
This idea that Badges double as a functional portfolio is often lost. Such a valuable insight!
A2: Depends on the age of Ss, but badges set Ss apart for internships, jobs, etc. Shows skills/work experience.
A1: I like to answer w/ a Q: "Which means more outside school and can visually show WHAT you learned: a letter or an image?
A2 - Or simply, "they're way cooler than grades."
In addition to making accomplishments portable, Ss can display Badges to employers https://t.co/eyEtG5MhNc
A2 - So your accomplishments don't simply end up in the landfill. You own it! You can take it with you!
BAM! This idea resonates with kids...esp now that some Common App providers are integrating Badges:) https://t.co/ZvD2nuOhUH
A2: Depends on the age of Ss, but badges set Ss apart for internships, jobs, etc. Shows skills/work experience.
Thus getting younger kids excited about badges, too! Way cooler to take home and show off. https://t.co/iH3nLGNCsp
A2 - Or simply, "they're way cooler than grades."
Great point! Kids in APS are telling us that they tell mom and dad about Badges they earn
That's the key: Badges when designed right can SHOW the skill/knowledge mastery. Grades, not so much. https://t.co/vZyuXjtu2q
A2: Depends on the age of Ss, but badges set Ss apart for internships, jobs, etc. Shows skills/work experience.
OK, loving the points y'all are making and losing track of time. Question 3 coming in hot...
Q3: What do we tell schools and other employers who ask WHY BADGES?
I give a choice for teachers to claim their badges & many just love that they are recognized someway for extra time the put in
Love how you articulate this. Transcripts leave a huge void in narrative of who are ss are as learners/achievers
Oh, gracious! Don't make me blush! I fangirl you and like crazy. GBL and education rockstars!
A3: like said, it lets employers know more about what applicants know and are able to do than just transcripts
A3: seeing a range of skills others have recognized gives them a heads up of the type of employee vs resume we do on our own
That's one of the biggest failures of transcripts and why shouldn't judge a student just by grades/tests!
A3 - Way more relevant/meaningful than GPA/Grades. Badges connect to actual masteries. Who knows what a grade means?
A3: Allows employers to fill in "gaps" in their team. If they know employee has particular skills that others don't.
I love this...like Badges give applicants a way to say, "Don't take my word for it that I'm great.." https://t.co/AyDQ0GB3SR
A3: seeing a range of skills others have recognized gives them a heads up of the type of employee vs resume we do on our own
This connects so well to first question about why Ts should care...helps them match w school needs https://t.co/NzgcKrbXYw
A3: Allows employers to fill in "gaps" in their team. If they know employee has particular skills that others don't.
Exactly! Grading is subjective at the basis of it all, too. A badge shows specific content knowledge https://t.co/fEm9fL6R1h
A3 - Way more relevant/meaningful than GPA/Grades. Badges connect to actual masteries. Who knows what a grade means?
Q3: it's not just hiring who gets the top score but badges show who has character & could be future leaders at the company
Great chatting with you all in such an intimate group today! One last question on our way out...
Q4: What are your takeaways from this week’s chat?
I'm sorry I missed - I just tuned it as it was ending.
Not to worry! You're welcome anytime!
A4 - That we are on the right track and need to keep pushing!
So great to see you jumping in!! I always love your thoughts!
Thanks again for another great community chat! Looking forward to next week's https://t.co/9jfu5JTgsG
Great chatting with you all in such an intimate group today! One last question on our way out...
A4: There are really compelling answers for a variety of Badge stakeholders who may ask "WHY?"
A4: takeaway: importance of having the why badges convo with various stakeholders so it's a meaningful process for all
thank you but you were the one on fire today 👍🏽
A4: Badges illustrate more than a letter grade or a "Passed Such-and-Such course," especially for outside school stakeholders
is now trending in USA, ranking 45
You are too kind! I've only learned from the best from AMAZING education leaders like you & !
Thanks for the super fast and fun chat! Loved the questions and the great people. Count me in again!
Sorry I missed - too busy creating some Camtasia videocasts. Have now added Canvabadges to course. Interesting!
We'll catch you another time Gideon! Have a great night!
Thanks for joining! Really appreciate your thoughtful insights!
