Designing Badges Worth Sharing
One big advantage of the Open Badges platform is that learners can share their badges, and others will know that the badges come from a certified issuer. Badge issuers decide how the badge looks, what it says, and what it takes to earn it. So, badges should be valuable and helpful for learners. We want learners to feel proud to share their badges with others.
Keep it simple: Specialized topics often use specific terms and higher education is full of buzzwords. Think about how someone without any background in the program or activities needed to earn the badge would understand the description. We don't have time to explain everything in detail. It's better to be clear than flashy, so choose words that make sense to your learners.
Make it useful: When learners show their badge in their Achievement Studio Portfolio, others should quickly understand what the badge means and why it's important. Focus on the skills that can be applied in different situations, not just the steps to earn the badge. Think about how the badge can show what the learner is capable of. Let the learner share how they earned the badge, while the badge itself highlights the transferable skills.
Make it appealing: While badges show the skills gained from an event, initiative, or program, they should look professional. You don't want your badge to be remembered for looking bad. The badge image should catch people's attention and make them want to learn more. If you're not good at graphic design, you can ask students from a marketing club or design program on campus to help. They can build their portfolio, and you get a better-looking badge.
The best way to get more people involved in a credentialing or badging program is to think about it from the learner's point of view. Your program should focus on learners and how they will use the badges. If you take the time to understand your audience and make the badges more valuable for them, you'll make badges that are worth sharing.