RAPPORT
WWW.RECORDINGACHIEVEMENT.AC.UK
Issue 1 (2017)
Comparison of the purpose of Open Badges across
geographic locations shows that use of Open
Badges for staff CPD was predominantly focused
on the United Kingdom (figure 13)
What outcomes are you expecting
from the use of badges?
36.70%
0.4
30%
0.3
23.30%
0.2
10%
0.1
0
1
2
3
4
5
Increased motivation within the course 11
Greater employability 7
Recognition of 'softer' skills learned 9
Other 3 (see below for individual responses)
-
-
Figure 13: Global Comparison of Purposes
Academics’ use of Open Badges
38 (31%) of respondents have an academic role in
their institution. Out of those 38 academics, there
are 12 (32%) that are using Open Badges with their
students. The 12 academics were asked what the
students had to do to achieve the award and the
responses fell into two main categories. The first
category relates to demonstrating that a
competency level has been achieved:
• “meet learning outcomes set for a module”
• “they need to complete a module of the
course, completing all the required tasks”
• “each badge has distinct criteria but most of
them are for completing practical tasks”
The second category relates to a level of
participation:
• “we also use participation badge and to
recognise contribution”
• “participate in online discussions, share
student made resources, attend seminars,
peer review each other”
The main outcome that academics were expecting
was an increased motivation from their students,
and this was closely followed by a recognition of
‘softer’ skills learned. There were 3 ‘other’
responses, one of which was the ‘increased level of
mastery of the subject’ (figure 14).
-
Wider recognition in the institution
For participation badges: confirmation of being
part of the community
Increased level of mastery of the subject
Figure 14: Academics’
outcomes from badge use
expectations
of
Of the 12 academics that are using Open Badges,
8 have assessed their students’ opinions on their
use. One academic, who is not using Open
Badges with students, assessed students’
opinions about badges but felt that the response
was sceptical and decided not to proceed.
Of the 9 academics who have evaluated students’
opinions of badges, a follow-up question asked
what the student response to badges were. The
majority of the responses were positive and
included:
• 75% viewed experience positively (60+
students);
• They were very interested, some asked why
badges are not used in all courses;
• Some
students
did
not
understand
completely the role of the badges, others
state that the use of badges increased their
motivation and facilitate their perception of
being part of a learning community;
• Motivation and interest for something they
could use later for finding jobs
Pilots
35 respondents said they either have pilots running
currently, or have pilots in development. The areas
24