Digital Badges

Digital badges are a form of recognition for a structured learning experience. Badges are digital icons with embedded information about when, where and how they were earned. This information, or metadata, includes the name of the issuer, the date issued, and the criteria for earning the badge. Badges provide a visual record of achievement and can be combined with a portfolio to allow users to demonstrate their learning. 

Digital badges are often issued as a form of recognition for successful completion of a micro-credential. However, not all badges are micro-credentials. 

Micro-credentials are an umbrella term for quality-assured, modular, short-duration units of validated learning. These credentials encompass specific knowledge, skills, and competencies that may be transferrable within disciplines, fields of practice, or professions. Micro-credential courses can be credit or non-credit and are purposely designed with clearly articulated learning outcomes, activities, and assessment methods. They may be stand-alone, embedded, laddered, or stackable and may create pathways into traditional learning credentials (certificates, diplomas, or degrees). 

The Non-Credit Professional and Continuing Education Credentials Framework offers additional information on non-credit credentials available at UCalgary.

Dyjur, P., & Lindstom, G., (2017). Perceptions and uses of digital badges for professional learning development in higher education. TechTrends, 61(4), 386-392. doi: 10.1007/s11528-017-0168-2. Retrieved fromhttp://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11528-017-0168-2 

Lindstrom, G., & Dyjur, P. (2017). From student to instructor: Reflections on receiving and issuing digital badges for educational development. Transformative Dialogues, 9(3). Retrieved from http://www.kpu.ca/sites/default/files/Transformative%20Dialogues/TD.9.3.5_Lindstrom%26Dyjur_From_Student_to_Instructor.pdf 

Interested in learning more about offering a micro-credential or a digital badge? 

Contact: micro.credentials@ucalgary.ca