Online badges, or digital badges, is the next thing in using the internet for learning and community. Anyone, you, can create a specific badge to give to someone who demonstrates a specific skill.
Credly.com provides great flexibility and ease in developing badges and issuing credit.
No longer are badges just for boy scouts. At Credly, you can create a badge starting with their template. You can use your icons; you can use your own; you can upload images; you can create a series of badges. There is so much you can do.
My husband is always a willing guinea pig. So, I made him an award to see how it went. (You can't give yourself an award.) You do have to create an account to claim your badge. Then, you may post it on social media.
Husband has earned tow badges! One for being an active member and a DH (Darling Husband) Award for playing with children. The "T" means the badge is from a trusted issuer. Next time he earns a badge from me, he will automatically receive it instead of having to log in to claim it. He dutifully posted on facebook and got responses immediately. Everyone love getting a brownie button.
To encourage technology, I plan on issuing badges based on using a specific platform three times. The big badge is for using ten platforms three times.
My school just started a school wide program. I could see using the badges to show mastery of all the little pieces needed and mastery in writing in various subjects.
Digital badges allow education to go beyond letter grades.
Please share if you have a favorite badge site or if you have implemented badges.
