A significant benefit of the Open Badges platform is that a learner can post their badge and have it confirmed to come from a certified badge issuer. However, with great power comes great responsibility. Since badge issuers control the look, the description, and the criteria of the badge – they need to be worthy of being shared and helpful for learners. We want them to see the value of sharing a specific badge with their network. To that end, here are three things you can do to make your badges worth sharing!
- Make it clear: The more specialized the topic, the more specific the terminology may be. That is on top of the prevalence within higher education of the use of buzzwords. Consider how someone with no background in the program or activities required to earn the badge would understand the description. At the end of the day, we do not have the bandwidth to boil the ocean and lean-in to unpack the paradigm shift synergy. Basically – it is better to be clear than flashy, so make your words count with the target audience of your learners.
- Make it transferable: If your learners are showcasing this badge in their Achievement Studio Portfolio, they will want someone to understand quickly what that badge means and why it matters. The badge should cover the transferable skills rather than the steps required to earn it. Think about the transferable skills and how this badge can speak to someone wanting to know what they can expect the learner to be able to do. Let the learner share what they did to earn the badge – let the badge share the transferable skills.
- Make it Appealing: While credentialling is about showcasing the skills demonstrated through an event, initiative, or program – the badge should at least look professional. You do not want your badge to be memorable for looking bad. You want the badge image to draw folks in to learn more. If graphic design is not in your wheelhouse, you have an excellent opportunity for students to showcase their skills. You can contact the members of a marketing club or design program on campus. They can build their portfolio, and you can get someone that looks better.
The best way to increase participation in a credentialing or badging program is to approach it from the learner’s perspective. It should be about them and their use case. If you take some time to consider your target audience and make it more valuable for them, you are on the path to making badges worth sharing.