Badges
What is a badge?
Open Badges is a system of digital certificates or learning badges that they can use to award individual progress.
A badge is online proof that a goal has been achieved. It consists of
- an image (svg oder png),
- Meta information (description of the goal achieved, period of validity of the badge, issuer of the badge, date of issue, etc.)
- a link
The difference between a paper certificate and an online badge is that the badge can be shared online via links. For example, it can be included in a CV or portfolio. For example, a badge recipient can also include the badges on their LinkedIn profile.
In contrast to a formal certificate, the idea of the badge is more playful (gamification, to loosen up and motivate, the learners gain something).
Where can badges be purchased?
Basically 3 categories of badges can be acquired:
- Badges for a course
(for passing the course or fulfilling the conditions set out there) - Badges for a specific course element
(like course badges, with a condition for a specific course element) - and global badges
(cross-course, can only be created by administrators)
Global badges are independent of courses. Other badges relate to a specific course element or course. The same badge cannot be awarded in different places, e.g. for different course elements.
How are course badges awarded?
They can be assigned manually or automatically based on defined rules.
Assign course badges manually
In each course, under
Administration > Settings > Assessment Tab > "Badges" section
manual assignment by course owners and coaches is made possible.
Award course badges in the assessment tool
Badges can also be awarded manually in the rating tool via a mass action.
Course badges assigned automatically
When creating a badge with the wizard, rules for the automatic awarding of a badge can be defined in the "Award criteria" step.
How are global badges awarded?
Global badges can also be assigned manually or automatically based on defined rules. However, both manual assignment and the definition of rules for the automatic assignment of global badges can only be carried out by administrators.
Assign global badges manually
Global badges can be assigned manually by administrators under
Administration > e-Assessment > OpenBadges > "Global Badges" tab > Button “Assign badge manually".
Global badges assigned automatically
Administrators can set up the rules for automatic assignment under
Administration > e-Assessment > OpenBadges > "Global Badges" tab.
If the badge tool for creating a global badge is called up there, the rules can be specified in the wizard.
Create and edit a badge
Badges can only be created within a course by course owners.
Where can badges for course elements be created?
In the course editor:
Course elements that can display a "Passed" have an additional tab "Badges". There you will find a button "Create new badge".
It is available in the course elements:
- Test
- SCORM learning content
- Task
- Group task
- Assessment
- Check list
- LTI page
- Participant folder
- Portfolio task
- Structure
Where can badges be created for the course?
In the course editor:
If you click on the top "node", the course title in the course menu, a "Badges" tab will also appear on the right. As with the course elements, you can create a badge there by clicking on the "Create new badge" button. Here, however, the badge refers to the course as a whole.
Under administration > Badges:
A list of all badges that can be acquired in this course appears here. The "Create new badge" button can be used to create additional badges for the course and/or individual course elements.
You can find a step-by-step instruction for course badges here
Where can global badges be created?
The option to create global badges is described here.
Badge tool
Badges are created in the badge tool. A wizard guides you through the creation process.
The tool is used (with minor differences) for both course badges and global badges.
You can find step-by-step instructions for course badges here.
The option to create global badges is described here.
The wizard
As soon as you have decided to create a new badge (click on the "Create new badge" button), a wizard will guide you through the creation process step by step.
-
Template: The first step is to select a template or upload your own image. SVG and PNG are currently supported.
-
Customization: If the template was created taking variables into account, you can change colors and text in a template.
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Details & Validation period: Mandatory details are the Name, Version and Description of the badge, as well as the Issuer. You can additionally add an URL and Contact to the Issuer Details. The Duration of validity can also be specified to never expire or have an timespan of e.g 12 months.
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Criteria: Fill out the criteria and the explanation behind the rules you choose.
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Summary: Summary screen of all the details.
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Earners: Displays the Earners in a table to see, which participant already qualifies for the criteria you choose.
Note
If entire courses are copied, the option to get badges is also included in the copy.
Where can badges be edited?
Note
Badges can only be edited as long as no one has yet acquired this badge.
In the course administration:
Administration > Badges > Click on the 3 dots at the end of a row > Option "Edit"
If coaches have also been granted the right to assign badges manually (Administration > Settings > Assessment tab > Badges section), then an overview is also available for coaches in the "Administration" menu under "Badges". However, coaches cannot create new badges, only assign them manually.
In the course menu (as course owner):
Select a course element to which a badge can be added. (Find the list of course elements with badges here). Then click on the "Badges" tab. If a badge assignment has been set up for this course element, you can also click on the 3 dots at the end of a row and you will find the "Edit" option there.
View of awarded course badges
The awarding of course badges is enabled by course owners in each course under
Settings > Assessment tab > Badges section
The right to manual assignment can also be given to coaches here.
If badges have been activated, the Badges option will be available in Course administration after the next login. The rules for awarding badges for the course can be set up here.
If badges have been acquired by participants, they can be seen in the performance overview of the participant concerned.
View awarded badges in LinkedIn and other websites
In principle, the display of OpenOlat badges on other websites can be done manually by exporting and importing.
LinkedIn allows you to display certificates in your personal profile. The certificate or badge is checked with a host-based verification. A similar process is used to verify the certificate or badge.
Further information
How do I award badges in my course? >
Global Badges >
OpenBadges administration >
The OpenBadges standard >