Already using digital badges? Take a look at our digital badge good practice guide.
A digital badge is an online visual representation that signifies an accomplishment, skill, or competency. In the past, badges have been physical objects made of metal or cloth and worn on clothing and issued by an awarding body. Today, digital badges have developed into icons supported by metadata that mimics the visual representation of a badge and the reliability of the awarding body.
What is badge metadata?
Metadata binds a badge icon to supplementary information. The Open Badge Standard specifies what supplementary information is required.
- Badge recipient
- Badge issuer
- Criteria for earning the badge
- Evidence of achievement
- Issue date
So, metadata provides credibility to the badge. It facilitates its verification and understanding and operability across digital badging services.
Gold medals are not made of gold. They are made of determination.
Dan Gable – Former Olympic gold-medalist
Why did we choose Canvas badges?
Canvas Badges, formerly Badgr, has been selected as an appropriate platform to begin our investigation and assessment.
| Features | Canvas Badges (formerly Badgr) | Credly | Open Badge Factory |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDPR compliant? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open badge 2.0? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Open badge 2.1? | Yes | Yes | No |
| SSO? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| User management of badges? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Admin management of badges? | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Admin management of users? | Yes – Analytics Pro only | Yes | Yes |
| Badge import tool? | Yes | No | No |
| Badge designer suite? | Yes | No | Yes |
| Bulk issuing of badges? | Yes – 50 only, unlimited with Pro | No – Pro only | Yes |
| VLE integration? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Shareable? | Yes – Pro only | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple issues at an organisation? | Yes – Pro only | Yes | Yes |
| Badges retained after users leave UoS | Yes – with secondary email accounts | No | Yes – with additional payment |
Where are we with digital badges at Southampton?
We are exploring the viability of digital badges for a formal pilot project. Working with stakeholders Digital Learning is developing a range of use cases across the university to determine the viability for our organisation.
With this being an exploration the selected platforms may change, or the university may decide that digital badges are not viable, in this instance, Digital Learning would work with each of our use cases to develop an exit strategy to sustain and support work that has taken place with digital badges.
Pre-pilot use cases
- Foundation Engineering programme
- Blackboard and VLE awards
- Southampton Sustainability Solutions
- Doctoral College
What if I want to use digital badges?
You can! Contact Digital Learning to discuss implementing digital badges in your programme. Badges can help motivate and create a sense of play whilst fostering engagement.