Making a Meaningful Badge:
The main focus for developing any type of badge, should be on clearly identifying the competencies the earners will obtain or build upon by earning the badge. Many people refer to this as WIIFM or What’s In It For Me. Often we think of creating information that is focused on the main points that we want others to know. However, when working with badges, the focus should be on equipping the earners with the competencies that will be the most beneficial for them. These benefits should be clearly defined and easily discernible for potential earners. To assist you in creating badges with this type of focus, please take the following points into consideration:
- Badge steps are clearly defined and measurable – no random activities.
- Specific goals and objectives should be clearly stated for your earners.
- Badges should be focused on specific outcomes.
- Assigned Tasks or Steps should be divided into attainable sections of information.
- The time allocated to a badge should be reasonable and not intimidate potential earners.
Badge Creation Pitfalls
To assist you in creating badges that are highly detailed, effective, and valuable for your earners, there are a number of approaches that should be avoided.
- Avoid linking out to external websites for the majority of your badge content.
- Avoid providing the earner with a wide variety of activities for a single step.
- Avoid having rigorous criteria that must be adhered to, while leaving the submission guidelines open-ended.
- Avoid creating badges that have unrealistic expectations for badge steps.
Text First Approach:
This worksheet was designed to assist you in the badge creation process by allowing you to work through your badge content in a text first approach. There are number of benefits to this approach.
Content Alignment and Accuracy:
It allows you to holistically see your badging content, which ensures each section of information aligns with the overall concept of the badge.
Sharable with Collaborators:
Within the current badging system only one individual can view the content while in the editing mode. If your collaborators will be assisting you with reviewing the badge content, this allows them the opportunity to refine the aspects of the badge they will be responsible for.
Badges with Greater Detail:
The current badging system does not allow for the badges to be edited once they are published. By developing your content prior to entering it into the badging system, you have the ability to review and refine your content to ensure your badge provides the necessary detail for your earners to be successful.
Mapping to Learning Methodologies:
By developing your content prior to entering it into the system, you have the ability to identify the various learning methodologies your badges may align with. This assists you in communicating the academic value associated with your badge activities.