Ilona Buchem, Professor for Media & Communication
Beuth University of Applied Sciences Berlin, Germany
Project coordinator “Open Badge Network” / Europe Erasmus+
Open Education Global Conference 2017, Cape Town, SA / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Scaling up Open Badges
for Open Education
Action Lab

12 500 students, 290 professors
8 departments, 70 BA and MA programs
Online programs, Digital strategy Ilona Buchem
Professor for Media &
Communication
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Action Lab:
1. Introduction: Open Badges & OE
(Time: 30 Minutes)
2. Discussion: Potentials & Challenges
(Time: 30 Minutes)
3. Activity: Scaling-up Open Badges
(Time: 60 Minutes)
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
1
2
3

Objectives & Results:
• Objectives: Recommendations for scaling-up Open
Badges for Open Education around three key
dimensions: context, content, community.
• Results: List / map of actions and recommendations
for scaling up Open Badges for Open Education.
• Open Access: The list will be published on the Open
Badge Network portal & shared on Social Media.
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

What is OBN:
Open Badge Network?
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.badgetheworld.org/

Intellectual Outputs Key activities
O1 Open Badge Europe Framework and Leadership Charter & Partners
O2 European Open Badge Infrastructure Use cases & repository
O3 Open Badges for Individuals and Organisations Discussion Paper & Guidelines
O4 Open Badges in Territories Inventory & Guidelines
O5 Establishing Open Badges at Policy Levels Discussion Paper
O6 European Open Badge Network OBN MOOC
O7 Research, Evaluation and Project Quality Assurance Badges and Quality
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
OBN Activities
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
OBN MOOC
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
OBN MOOC
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
OBN MOOC
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Introduction
What are Open Badges?
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
1

Open web standard which
can be used to capture and
communicate skills
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Open Licence Open AccessOpen Source
Open Content
1998 2001
Open Courseware Open Resources
2002
Open Data
2008
MOOCs
2011
Open Coding
Open Badges
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Open Badges as Open Movement

Weinberger (2003) Small Pieces Loosely Joined. The unified theory of the Web.
Foto: http://www.publicdomainpictures.net/
EUROPEAN COMMISSION OPEN BADGES WEBINAR | ILONA BUCHEM | 06-02-2017 | CC BY-SA
“The Web
has blown
documents
apart.”

OPEN CLOSED
“After all, traditional college diplomas look elegant when hung on the wall, but they
contain very little detail about what the recipient learned.” (Young, 2012)
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Badges for Open Education
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

How do
Open Badges
work?
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

“90% of the badge system is not visual”
Klein, J. (2013)
Open Badges Metadata
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Open Badges Infrastructure
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

What types of
Open Badges
are out there?
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Domain knowledge & skills
– Buzzmath middle school math skills –
Digital & enterprise skills
– The Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award –
Conference activities
– EDEN Conference Open Badges –
Science & research skills
– Competency X Experimenting Badges –
Career planing skills
– Open University UK –
Journalist & reporter skills
– DigitalMe Supporter 2 Reporter Medals –
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Diversity of Open Badges

CONTENT
What does the badge represent?
PROCESS
How was the badge achieved?
ISSUER
Who issued the badge?
1.1 Achievement badges
(demonstration of achievements)
1.2 Competence badges
(demonstration of knowledge, skills,
competence).
1.3 Potential badges
(indicators of future performance)
1.4 Participation badges
(evidence of participation, e.g. events)
1.5 Membership badges
(represents membership, e.g. club)
1.6 Commitment badges
(attitudes, values, beliefs)
1.7 Encouragement badges
(good work stamps)
2.1 Activity badges
(based on a single learning activity)
2.2 Mission badges
(based on a series of activities)
2.3 Assignment badges
(based on a single assignment)
2.4 Composite badges
(based on multiple assignments)
2.5 Progress badges
(based on the progress on a task)
2.6 Grade badges
(based on formal grades)
2.7 Level badges
(based on several levels)
3.1 Organisational badges
(issued by university, employer)
3.2 Team badges
(issued by teams, groups)
3.3 Expert badges
(issued by an expert)
3.4 Social badges
(issued by peers, communities)
3.5 Endorser badge
(endorsed by a third party)
Link to taxonomy: https://ibuchem.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/digital-badges-open-badges-taxonomy/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Taxonomy of Open Badges
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/

How are
Open Badges
used for
Open Learning?
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Open Badges in MOOCs
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/

Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/get-started/badges-come-openlearn

Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/

Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
https://www.ibm.com/developerworks/middleware/services/badges/

http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
http://www.digitalme.co.uk/s2r-medals
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Supporter2Reporter project

A set of badges at 3 levels. An example:Different single badges. 3 examples:
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Open Badges @BeuthUni
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/

https://www.openbadgeacademy.com/badge/926
To earn this badge
you have to
write a self-report
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
OB for migrant academics
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/

To earn this badge
you have to
write a self-report
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
OB for migrant academics
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
https://www.openbadgeacademy.com/badge/926

Evidence #1
Test results from
the university
Evidence #2
Testimonials from
clients/colleagues
Evidence #3
Interview results
from a coach
Evidence #4
Self-report /
ePortfolio
Evidence #5
Activities in
social media
Evidence #6
Endorsement from
employer
21st century skills
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening Assessment
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/

How to earn Open Badges?
Example: Digital Skills
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Go to:
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/self-assessed-badges-for-digital-competences
or use short link:
goo.gl/4gisl6
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Information processing
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
• Basic user, I can look for information online using a search engine. I know not
all online information is reliable. I can save or store files or content (e.g. text,
pictures, music, videos, web pages) and retrieve them once saved or stored.
Apply here: https://openbadgefactory.com/c/earnablebadge/
O4YA5NaEXZaK/apply
• Independent user, I can use different search engines to find information. I use
some filters when searching (e.g. searching only images, videos, maps). I
compare different sources to assess the reliability of the information I find. I
classify the information in a methodical way using files and folders to locate
these easier. I do backups of information or files I have stored. Apply here:
https://openbadgefactory.com/c/earnablebadge/O4YGG2aEXZa1S/apply
• Proficient user, I can use advanced search strategies (e.g. using search
operators) to find reliable information on the internet. I can use web feeds (like
RSS) to be updated with content I am interested in. I can assess the validity
and credibility of information using a range of criteria. I am aware of new
advances in information search, storage and retrieval. Ι can save
information found on the internet in different formats. I can use cloud
information storage services. Apply here: https://openbadgefactory.com/c/
earnablebadge/O4YGOZaEXZa1T/apply
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Content creation
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
• Basic user, I can produce simple digital content (e.g. text, tables, images, audio
files) in at least one format using digital tools. I can make basic editing to content
produced by others. I know that content can be covered by copyright. I can
apply and modify simple functions and settings of software and applications that I
use (e.g. change default settings). Apply here: https://openbadgefactory.com/c/
earnablebadge/O5BDJSa3U5a1L/apply
• Independent user, I can produce complex digital content in different formats (e.g.
text, tables, images, audio files). I can use tools/editors for creating web page or
blog using templates (e.g. WordPress). I can apply basic formatting (e.g. insert
footnotes, charts, tables) to the content I or others have produced. I know how to
reference and reuse content covered by copyright. I know the basics of one
programming language. Apply here: https://openbadgefactory.com/c/
earnablebadge/O5BDNRa3U5a1M/apply
• Proficient user, I can produce or modify complex, multimedia content in different
formats, using a variety of digital platforms, tools and environments. I can create a
website using a programming language. I can use advanced formatting functions
of different tools (e.g. mail merge, merging documents of different formats, using
advanced formulas, macros). I know how to apply licences and copyrights. I can
use several programming languages. I know how to design, create and modify
databases with a computer tool. Apply here: https://openbadgefactory.com/c/
earnablebadge/O5BDPTa3U5a1N/apply

Communication
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
• Basic user, I can communicate with others using mobile phone, Voice over IP (e.g.
Skype) e-mail or chat – using basic features (e.g. voice messaging, SMS, send and
receive e-mails, text exchange). I can share files and content using simple tools. I
know I can use digital technologies to interact with services (as governments, banks,
hospitals). I am aware of social networking sites and online collaboration tools. I am
aware that when using digital tools, certain communication rules apply (e.g. when
commenting, sharing personal information). Apply here: https://
openbadgefactory.com/c/earnablebadge/O5BD5Fa3U5a1I/apply
• Independent user, I can use advanced features of several communication tools (e.g.
using Voice over IP and sharing files). I can use collaboration tools and contribute to
e.g. shared documents/files someone else has created. I can use some features of
online services (e.g. public services, e-banking, online shopping). I pass on or share
knowledge with others online (e.g. through social networking tools or in online
communities). I am aware of and use the rules of online communication
(“netiquette”). Apply here: https://openbadgefactory.com/c/earnablebadge/
O5BDD6a3U5a1J/apply
• Proficient user, I actively use a wide range of communication tools (e-mail, chat, SMS,
instant messaging, blogs, micro-blogs, social networks) for online communication. I
can create and manage content with collaboration tools (e.g. electronic calendars,
project management systems, online proofing, online spreadsheets). I actively
participate in online spaces and use several online services (e.g. public services, e-
banking, online shopping). I can use advanced features of communication tools (e.g.
video conferencing, data sharing, application sharing). Apply here: https://
openbadgefactory.com/c/earnablebadge/O5BDI0a3U5a1K/apply

Discussion:
Key potentials and challenges of
Open Badges in Open Education
(in my context)?
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
2

Activity:
How to scale-up Open Badges
to recognise Open Learning and
promote Open Education?
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
3

http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Sharing & recording ideas
• Using affinity diagramming as methodology
• Dimensions: context, content, community

http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Affinity diagramming in 3 steps:
Share & organise your ideas in a team in 3 steps:
1. Write each idea for scaling-up OB on cards (alone)
2. Look for ideas that seem to be related (in team)
3. Sort cards into groups and subgroups (in team)
Once the cards have been sorted, present your affinity
diagram to other teams!

“ Thank you!
@mediendidaktik
@OpenBadgeNet
#OpenBadges
Open Education Global Conference 2017 / Open Badge Network / 08-03-2017 / CC BY-SA 3.0
http://www.openbadgenetwork.com/