From Verified Credentials to Open Recognition

Badges don’t just replace certificates. It’s an entirely different ballgame

One of the primary uses of badges is as a digital alternative to paper-based certificates for training or other professional development activities. However, the open badges standard allows for much more than just this traditional use case. In this episode, Doug Belshaw shares his insights and expertise on the many applications of open badges. Starting with verified credentials that can, in addition to the certifying training participation serve as a replacement for official documents such as driver’s licenses. A completely different use of badges is for open recognition. Open recognition is used for publicly acknowledging and celebrating specific behaviors and achievements. Discover numerous examples of how badges can be used and get some tips on how to get started using them yourself.

Personal drivers for curiosity

• How technology impacts learning and society: Technology as a mediator for people to learn new things.
• How appropriate technologies can be used (but not technology for its own sake).

Quote

Don’t explain your philosophy, embody it.

Epictetus, Greek philosopher

Be committed to something and don’t make excuses. Make today your masterpiece, make your life be your masterpiece. Live your life intentionally.

Links

• Website of Doug Belshaw or LinkedIn Profile or on WOA – We are open Cooperative
• Keep Badges Weird at badges.community: Community on how to use badges for open recognition.
• Documentation on verifiable credentials on W3C: Verifiable Credentials Data Model v1.1

Book Recommendation

• Badass making users awesome by Kathy Sierra
  • Deliberate practice, experiential perceptional knowledge. Things people know without being taught.
• 4000 weeks – time management for mortals by Oliver Burkeman
  • Productivity is the wrong question to be asking. The question is human flourishing
  • Philosophical but very practical book. Thoughtful and reflective book