#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.
Tough question as a lot of schools are falling short in this area! Most are utilizing transcripts and/or portfolios. More and more, digital badges are filling this role! #BadgeChat
Glad you brought up portfolios. They can be powerful storytelling vehicles. That said, do we actually see them being used as such or do they only get eyes from students, teachers, parents? #badgechat
Yeah, I think the letter jacket is under rated as a way of communicating achievement. It is a powerful signal that people understand right away... #badgechat
Exactly the problem, generally portfolios are not utilized to tell the learner's story, or accessible to the right audiences. Also students putting in "required" work vs. authentic work. #BadgeChat
A2: I don't think institutions are thinking about trust...we know colleges and employers are skeptical of the story being told by transcripts, etc, but there doesn't seem to be overt recognition that we're in the middle of a Trust Crisis #BadgeChat
A2: Institutions seem to believe that their name conveys the trust. We at Madison College are working directly with our employers to build that trust relationship with our digital badges, and creating that two way conversation. #BadgeChat
A2: In higher ed, one form of trust that seems absurd in 2019 is idea of "official transcripts" and an envelope with scotch tape over a rubber stamp being a trustworthy seal. That's one that history will judge harshly #BadgeChat
A2: Institutions seem to believe that their name conveys the trust. We at Madison College are working directly with our employers to build that trust relationship with our digital badges, and creating that two way conversation. #BadgeChat
A3: Digital Badge Credentials offer the ability to tell rich stories about learning + achievement. They go beyond paper reports by including criteria and evidence artifacts...audience can see evidence, doesn't have to take school's word for it, which fosters trust #BadgeChat
A3: Badges can help facilitate the conversation. Done properly, incorporating digital badges should include discussions with employers and in return help build trust and value. #BadgeChat
Digital Badges can also be issued by people other than just the school. They help build a user profile that is multi-layered vs. a static piece of paper. #BadgeChat
A4: One challenge to TRUST is on the quality control side...
...and not just with issuing watered down Badges that aren't up to snuff; it's also about issuers not limiting Earners to the exclusive realm of A+++ work that went "above and beyond" #badgechat
This is a HUGE key that @LesVoigt brings up! When we partner with intended audience of credentials to co-create their meaning and value, we build meaning and value AND trust #BadgeChat
A3: Badges can help facilitate the conversation. Done properly, incorporating digital badges should include discussions with employers and in return help build trust and value. #BadgeChat
I love this point. Also, I look forward to gatekeepers on the institution side recognizing this and engaging in exploration as to whether these recognitions might be valued by the school even if not issued by the school #BadgeChat
Totally! This is a huge risk factor...especially when we predictably have dozens or more Badges with the same name but different meanings and criteria for earning. This confusion in the landscape muddies the story and undermines trust #BadgeChat
I'm working hard to build some K12 bridges into higher ed via digital badges as well as non-credit to credit...essentially credit for prior learning at any level! #BadgeChat
Thanks @LesVoigt for the thought-provoking conversation and shout out to the lurkers who actively engage in your own meaningful ways! I value the opportunity to learn and grow in these chats and appreciate y'all joining! #badgechat
This will be a powerful and needed bridge! Institutions like yours are well-poised to lead on such initiatives bc it's not such a huge conceptual leap from prior learning assessments or challenging courses. #BadgeChat
