In a badging eco-system, there are badge issuers, badge earners, and badge consumers. Badge issuers are the organizations designing, evaluating, and awarding the badges. Badge earners are the students, teachers, or leaders doing the work to earn the micro-credential. Badge consumers are those who care about the badges earned and who assign value to them.
Badges must be both portable and stackable. Portability means that the badges are stored in so that outsiders can view the badges and connect the learner to new opportunities. Stackability refers to the ability of badges to be built upon, indicating broader and deeper knowledge in a particular area.
Badging for educators means different things to different groups. At a basic level, however, badges operate by (1) outlining or defining a singular competency or skill, (2) providing avenues for educators to gain information about that competency or skill, (3) requiring educators to submit artifacts demonstrating mastery and implementation of that competency or skill, and (4) awarding badges to physically represent the completion of a micro-credential.
What kinds of badges can I earn in this course?
Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to begin working on three stacks of five badges in the areas of Working Memory, Executive Function, and Motivation (starting in units 2, 3, and 4 respectively).
Please note that this is an optional opportunity for you to extend your learning beyond the course and to make practical applications to your classroom. Should you pursue and receive all of the badges in the stack, you will receive a certificate for 10 hours of professional development, or 1 CEU in North Carolina.
Also take note that you will likely not be able to complete all of these within the six weeks of the course--that’s by design! The course is designed to set you up for success on the first micro-credential and provide you with the knowledge you will need to make the classroom applications in the second, third, fourth, and fifth micro-credentials in the stack. They will continue to be available in the course even after the course is over - so go on and get started with the first step or two and know that you can come back as you’ve completed them later.