The Potential of Digital Badges in Creating the

Future

Under a system-wide policy that emphasizes intellectual standards, innovative thinking, and micro-credentials that can stack to certificates and degrees, institutions in the State University of New York System offer a variety of micro-credentials—often recognized by digital badges, including those available at the University of Buffalo. In an online human relations course, Fresno City College was among the first community institutions to give digital badges. The Badging Essential Skills for Transitions (B.E.S.T.) initiative, sponsored by the University System of Maryland, aims to assist employers in better comprehending learners’ skills.

 

The Potential of Digital Badges in Creating the Future:

 

Digital badges have proved their potential by offering considerably greater flexibility in developing tailored educational environments and enabling individuals to acquire them in a broad range of instructional settings after demonstrating proficiency in educational institutions across the world.

 

Micro-credentials and Digital Credentials have thrown the traditional concepts of professional development curriculum into disarray. Rather, learners can choose their training and verify it to get a certification, all while pursuing their passions.

 

Students can take their knowledge beyond the classroom by collecting badges and gaining access to a multitude where they can study skills that are important to them or their professional employment at a time and location that is convenient for them. Once a skill is learned, it is documented in a badge that can be displayed in a digital portfolio accessible to institutions and possible employers.

 

Some feel that the future of digital badges will be determined by two factors: institutions’ capacity to match educational programs with business requirements, and the further development of badge standards. 

 

Digital Badges in the Modern Workplace:

 

Employers recognize that traditional educational approaches are no longer the primary means of acquiring and demonstrating information, which expands access and opportunities for more learners to develop through a number of techniques and demonstrate their knowledge with evidence such as digital badges.

 

Badges can be used to mark a learner’s progression during an academic program or acquired independently, for example, to assist graduating students to demonstrate to employers that they are ready for work.

 

Increasingly institutions of higher learning will engage with businesses to develop badges that are tailored to the needs of the workplace.

 

Badges can address concerns that individuals lack the necessary abilities for workplace success by associating learner achievements with professional competencies and industry standards.