Open up Open Badges
Open Badges are being explored through the Disruptive Media Learning Lab (DMLL) at Coventry University as a way of recognising extra-curricula learning, achievement and skills. We have designed a system of badges that fits within a learning and teaching framework to recognise a range of skills and achievements. We are trialling Open Badges in different settings around the university to see what students, staff and employers think of them.
I am using them in an employability module that I run — a module in which students determine what they want to learn, plan their learning and work in a group to learn stuff. We use Open Badges to reward and recognise the soft skills that they develop — team working, reflection and presentation. At the next level, I’d like to use Open Badges to reward the learning and skills that they develop.
We have a group of students working on a project about the university and they are working towards badges in team working and production.
Students learning about social media are being offered a badge that reflects their ability to use social media effectively.
Students learning Adobe After Effects, using Lynda.com for the training, were awarded badges for learning the software and applying it in their project work.
The aim of the trial is to use Open Badges as much as possible outside the curriculum to recognise extra-curricular learning and skills. We will evaluate how students, staff and employers perceive and value the Open Badges in the project and share our findings within the organisation and with the larger community.
