A look into badging strategies in engineering education and its application to energy and manufacturing certification programs

Abstract

This paper focuses on previous attempts of badge-based credential assignments in the engineering education and training space for documenting competencies. Even though it was an exciting concept a few years ago with the possibility of offering an alternative to traditional methods, the badge-based systems have not gained much momentum in the engineering education world. Examples of different types including undergraduate and graduate work, comprehensive attempts, and computing and graphics projects are studied in this paper. The sociological impact on students, their families, and prospective employers are also visited by a discussion. This is a critical factor since it ties into the employment after graduation. The authors have been developing multiple graduate and undergraduate certificate programs to be offered at an off-site location, which is a new and thriving multi-million dollar research, conference, and training center. Three certificates have been developed in the energy engineering technology, basic manufacturing, and additive manufacturing fields along with short-term accelerated training programs. This paper illustrates the structure and details of each certificate program including its admission procedures and requirements, its courses and future rearrangement using badge-based credentials. Utilization of badges will attract additional students to these certificate programs. However, some of the participants may want to only complete a single course or two based on their plans. A macro-badge assigned to an individual course will reflect one of the four levels of competence starting at the lowest passing level of Adequate Performance (AP) followed by Proficient (P), Mastery - Excellent (ME1), and Mastery - Exceptional (ME2) along with a letter grade. The paper concludes with an assessment discussion, also including how accreditation bodies such as ABET, ATMAE or Middle States should and could see this type of credential assignment efforts.