Design Principles and Enacted Practices for Recognizing Learning With Digital Badges: A Collective Case Study

• In Event: Advanced Technologies for Learning Paper Session

Abstract

The Design Principles Documentation Project traced the practices of thirty digital badge projects from conception to implementation in order to create design principles that may inform future design and implementation of digital badge systems. This paper uses collective case study methods to reflexively examine the specific practices for recognizing learning with digital badges as they relate to the broader design principles. While the projects implemented some of the same recognition principles, the specific recognition practices differed. Juxtaposition of the three cases confirms the absence of “best practices.” Rather, there are many possible recognition practices that appear appropriate in some contexts, and that then have implications for assessing, motivating, and evaluating learning with digital badges.

Authors

• Andrea M. Rehak, Indiana University

• Daniel T. Hickey, Indiana University