Badges, Not Just for Kids Anymore

Badges in the Classroom

There are many benefits of using badges in the classroom. Some of the benefits of digital badges are:

1. Autonomy - Giving students a sense of customizing their course and choosing what they want to learn. Not all badges need be required
2. The ability to try again - If a student does not earn the badge the first time, they can keep trying until they do, as opposed to some traditional summative assessments.
3. New Forms of Assessments
4. Increased motivation and engagement 
5. Improved Retention
6. Recognition of Prior Learning

Source(s): https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/AIR_Digital_Badge_Report_508.pdf (Page 11-14)
http://elearningindustry.com/using-badges-in-online-learning
http://www.getyardstick.com/value-impact-digital-badges-top-5-benefits/

Badges in Professional Development

All of the aforementioned benefits can also be transferred to adult learners. Many adult learning providers use badges as a way to visually display a learner's progress and knowledge. Some of these companies include:

• Google 
• Microsoft 
• Pearson
• Purdue University
• Nike
• Many Customer Loyalty Programs
• Dell 
• HP
• McDonalds

With the recent trends in professional development in education moving towards more individualized training, digital badges can be used by teachers and administrators to visually display achievements, skills, and knowledge.

Source(s): http://www.extremenetworks.com/digital-badges-finding-use-in-education-and-across-industries
https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/AIR_Digital_Badge_Report_508.pdf

For More Information

If you want more information about integrating digital badges into adult learning see this report below.

https://lincs.ed.gov/publications/pdf/AIR_Digital_Badge_Report_508.pdf