Open Badges for Higher Education

Abstract

Open Badges are being touted as the latest threat to higher education. However a closer look at this emerging trendreveals benefits for traditional institutions and alternative learning programs alike. Some vocal proponents have begunto suggest that badges representing learning and skills acquired outside the classroom, or even in Massive Open OnlineCourses (MOOCs), will soon supplant diplomas and course credits. Employers, so their argument goes, will soondownplay the college diploma and flock instead to new badge-based “certification platforms”