Method description and History
Open Badges and micro credentials can be used to validate any experience. They are digital and free for anyone to issue and earn. They fill a gap in non-formal and informal education, providing recognition of learning.
To read more about gamification of learning in general, please read other chapter of this toolbox.
Learning nowadays takes place not only in schools but also in the privacy of our own mobile phones watching YouTube tutorials or in a local workshop on how to grow vegetables in your small garden. In 2013, Mozilla decided to open the process of recognising all kinds of learning and giving total freedom by using Open Badges.
Instructions link
Please find here how to register on badgecraft and start your Open Badges journey.
Practical information
When you might use it: When you want to recognise participation, learning achievements, and competences acquired.
Time Required: Preparation of the badge system can take a few hours to a few days, depending on what you need. Introduction and giving the first badge to your participants can take up to 30 minutes and then claiming the open badges could be self-managed by earners
How many people involved: No restrictions, from 1 to 1000
Target: any groups
Where: any place
Materials Required: internet connection, having a system for open badges, we recommend https://www.badgecraft.eu and a downloaded app https://www.badgewallet.eu/en/
Author
The methodological description is based on the text produced by Olga Kuczynska. Developing Youth Work Innovation. E-handbook. Project Future Labs. Erasmus+, KA2, 2019. Publication of Humak University of Applied Sciences, page 62.
