Meeting the needs of digital learners and improving employability through open accreditation

Grainne Hamilton, Jisc RSC Scotland and Suzanne Scott, Borders College

Meeting the needs of digital learners and improving employability through open accreditation

From Flickr by Vito

Meeting the needs of digital learners and improving employability through open accreditation 21/11/2013

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What are some of the challenges students face?


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Motivation to keep going[Recruiting and retaining students]

From Flickr by Michael_Schmatz


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Standing out from the crowd[Improving employability]

From Flickr by James Cridland


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A digital future

The internet is increasingly being used:» For learning, communication and work

» By employers looking for potential employees

[Meeting the needs of digital learners]


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Open BadgesA digital accreditation infrastructure


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»Digital credentials – called Open Badges


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Open BadgesInformation infused images

From Flickr by dun-deagh


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Open BadgesInformation infused digital images

Image by Kyle Bowen


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»Assessments and identification of learning, attributes and competencies

» An open infrastructure for issuing, managing and sharing the credentials


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Open BadgesDigital credentials earners can display online

On: Professional profiles, e.g. LinkedIn / Blogs / Personal websites / Social media / e-Portfolios...


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Open BadgesWhat people are saying about Open Badges“It was nice to see a badges scheme in operation. I really did think that collecting badges incentivised my participation.”Participant, Jisc e-Assessment for Learning course

“ We believe that Open Badges have enormous potential in motivating learning, improving retention and in presenting the skills of our learners in way that is clear and accessible for them and employers. In this way, Open Badges will help our learners stand out in the jobs market.”Vice-Principal: Quality and Innovation, Borders College.


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Open BadgesWhat people are saying about Open Badges“…while academic achievements can be evidenced by an…academic transcript, there is no such evidence of so-called soft skills – the personal attributes that enhance a graduate’s work ethic, job performance, interaction with work colleagues and, ultimately, their career prospects. I am convinced that Open Badges can …evidence the development of these personal attributes in a way that is recognisable to, and trusted by, employers.” Tom Caira, Chair of the Industrial Advisory Board (Computing). University of the West of Scotland


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Connecting over Open Badges

The Open Badges in Scottish Education Group (OBSEG) is hosted by Jisc and performs an:

»Overview and mapping function of Open Badge developments in Scottish education

»Oversees a number of sub-groups

»Provides a forum for discussion and the formation of connections

Open Badges in Scottish Education Group


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Open Badges areas of interest

The Open Badges in Scottish Education Group (OBSEG) hosts the following sub-groups:

» Learner Progress

» Staff Development

» Technology and Design

Open Badges in Scottish Education Group


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Open Badges

Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)»National awarding and accreditation body

»Public commitment to investigate opportunities with Open Badges

»Providing sector with ‘permission to innovate’

Borders College» First college in Scotland to issue Open Badges

» Issuing badges to students and staff

» Using Open Badges for retention, motivation and employability

Case studies from members of the OBSEG


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Scottish Qualifications Authority

“The Scottish Qualifications Authority supports the concept of Open Badges and is working in partnership with the Open Badges in Scottish Education Group to support the adoption of Open Badges across a range of sectors. We believe that the infrastructure promotes and supports greater flexibility for learning and the recognition of achievement.”

Meeting the needs of digital learners

Joe Wilson, Head of New Ventures, SQA. Experimental Blog, October 2013


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»Accredit … small steps in a learner’s journey from informal learning to formal certification

»Offer recognition ... of single competencies and outcomes

»Provide recognition for chunks of learning … smaller than would normally be recognised in national certification and national credit rating systems

»Be used towards accreditation of prior learning where appropriate

Open Badges have the potential to:

From Flickr by justus.thane


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»Will explore the adoption of Open Badges as part of the recognition for teachers and appointees through SQA Academy Courses

»Will explore the possibilities that Open Badges offer in terms of digital certification in the future

From Flickr by Doug Belshaw


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Borders College

Since being introduced to Open Badges at the Jisc RSC Scotland conference 2012, Borders College has been using Open Badges to:

»Motivate learners and improve retention through stepped achievements

»Encourage staff CPD

»Enhance employability through recognising soft / additional skills

»Improve digital literacies with Moodle Open Badges

Improving motivation and enhancing employability


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Borders College

Borders College is using Open Badges to:»Break up the sometimes

difficult learning journey»Recognise small

achievements = improved KPIs

»Encourage returners»Enable Student

differentiation = 21st Century CV highlights differences

Improving motivation and enhancing employability

From Flickr by Michael_Schmatz


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Borders College

Student badges recognise/encourage:»Professional profile

creation»Contribution to discussion

forums »Electronic submission of

assignments»Use of the VLE generally

Staff badges recognise /encourage:» Innovative use of the VLE»Greater use of tools»Time and effort invested

Moodle Open Badges


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Borders College

»Full support of HR department

»Removal of paper certificates

»All staff now have at least one open badge – spread awareness

»Increase loyalty and attendance at CPD sessions

»Staff see value in CPD sessions. No longer just mandatory

»Links to HR systems and expiry dates

Staff CPD


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Borders College

»Member of the Open Badges in Scottish Education Group facilitated by Jisc

»Good links established with other partners such as Mozilla and the SQA

»Aim to accredit prior learning and introduce bridging badges

»Considering pathways for learners /identifying badges according to career aspirations

»Working with local employers to raise awareness

Going forward with Open Badges


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Further information

»Find out more about the Jisc Regional Support Centre (RSC) Scotland pilot of Open Badges. rsc-scotland.org/?page_id=2223

»Access Mozilla’s Open Badges site to find out how to use the Open Badge Infrastructure to earn, issue and display Open Badges. http://openbadges.org

»Open Badges in Scottish Education Group. bit.ly/obseg

»Open Badges case studies. rsc-scotland.org/?tag=open-badges

»Open Badges blog posts. rsc-scotland.org/eassessment/tag/open-badges/

»Remember, you can always contact your local Jisc Regional Support Centre for further information: jisc.ac.uk/rsc Email: [email protected]

Jisc support


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Questions?

From Flickr by Vito