Tag: Open Badges

Verifiable Credentials and Open Badges 3.0: What’s changed?

Posted on March 16, 2023March 24, 2023 by Doug Belshaw

Note: cross-posted at LinkedIn

Close-up of skateboard wheel with text 'Getting up to speed with Open Badges'

Open Badges are web-native digital credentials that allow anyone to recognise anyone else for anything. One popular approach is microcredentialing, although there is a growing movement around Open Recognition.

It’s not long since the third major version of the standard was released, with this one aligning with the W3C’s Verifiable Credential data model. If that sounds like a mouthful, and if reading specification documents makes your eyes glaze over, here’s a few highlights to explain what’s new.

1. A Farewell to Email Addresses

Although it’s technically been possible to use something other than email addresses in previous versions of the Open Badges standard, almost nobody has done so. Using an email address as an identifier can be problematic in terms of privacy, security, and long-term maintenance, as email addresses can change or become inactive over time.

Verifiable Credentials use a decentralised identifier (DID), which provides a unique, persistent, and secure way of proving who you are. This can be based on virtual wallets built into web browsers and smartphone apps, although they don’t have to be. In fact, you can generate a DID from a phone number or email address.

The DID method ensures greater privacy and security, as well as long-lasting recognition of achievements, independent of changes in the recipient’s email address. Although there may be a little bit of confusion to begin with, hopefully badge platforms will make this extremely easy to use.

2. Image-free recognition

One of the mandatory requirements of Open Badges is to use some sort of image. In fact, the metadata is hard-coded into the image as part of the ‘baking’ process. I do like a good badge image, but sometimes they can be a barrier to recognition because organisations want to ensure consistency with a house style.

With Open Badges v3.0, the alignment with the Verifiable Credentials data model means that there is no longer any requirement for an image. Verifiable Credentials are primarily focused on data and use something called JSON-LD (a standard for linked data) to describe the content. This approach means that the badge/credential is both human- and machine-readable.

While I hope it’s not the end for images in badges, I do think that it’s incredibly helpful to be able to recognise others quickly and easily.

3. Greater control

With Open Badges, the badge earner has to either share none of the details (the metadata) about their badge, or all of it. Verifiable Credentials allow for more granular control using ‘Verifiable Presentations’. This means that holders can choose what information to share and with whom, giving them greater autonomy and flexibility.

There are all kinds of things possible with this approach, including for example having an ID card in the form of a Verifiable Credential. Using the Verifiable Presentation approach, an individual could, for example, remain anonymous while still being able to prove that they are of a legal age to buy alcohol, or have the correct licence to drive a car.

In a learning context, someone could choose to create a Verifiable Presentation of several of their badges/credentials for the purposes of applying to university or for a job. Alternatively, the Verifiable Presentation could be made up of different people’s data showing the skills and achievements of a cohort. It’s very flexible.

Conclusion

As the technological landscape of learning and development continues to evolve, it’s important for educators and organisations to understand what’s possible. While Open Badges v2.1 is a great standard upon which to build, the opportunities with v3.0 using the Verifiable Credentials data model are exciting! I’m looking forward to starting to issue badges using the new approach, and sharing more information as I go.

Image CC BY-ND Visual Thinkery for WAO

“I can’t see the forest for the trees!” Microcredentials and Open Recognition

Posted on March 10, 2023March 24, 2023 by Doug Belshaw

Note: cross-posted at LinkedIn

Looking up at tall trees (photo by Arnaud Mesureur)

Microcredentials are hailed as the great saviour for universities. But Open Badges allow for a lot more. While microcredentials can be a useful way for individuals to demonstrate their expertise in a particular area, just like a single tree in a forest, they shouldn’t stand in isolation.

The problem is that microcredentials can only showcase a narrow set of skills or knowledge, which may not provide a complete picture of an individual’s achievements and potential. The lack of standardisation across different providers also creates confusion and a lack of trust in their value.

In contrast, an Open Recognition approach is like the entire forest, recognising learning and achievement across a wide range of human experience. This approach acknowledges that learning can happen in a variety of ways and contexts, much like a forest is made up of many different types of trees, plants, and animals.

The Open Recognition approach is designed to be more flexible and inclusive, providing recognition the full range of an individual’s skills and knowledge, regardless of their background or financial situation. By providing a consistent and transparent framework for recognition, based on open standards, Open Recognition ensures that recognition is based on a shared understanding of what constitutes valuable learning and achievement.

Just as a forest provides a more complete ecosystem than a single tree, an Open Recognition approach provides a more complete and accurate representation of an individual’s achievements. This recognition of the full range of an individual’s skills and knowledge is particularly useful in today’s rapidly changing job market, but it’s also key to human flourishing.

So, sure, microcredentials can be a useful tool for showcasing expertise in a particular area, but they are limited in scope. An Open Recognition approach, on the other hand, is like a whole forest ecosystem, recognising learning and achievement across a wide range of areas and contexts, and providing a more complete and inclusive way of capturing relationships and achievements.

Next step: join the Keep Badges Weird community!

Photo by Arnaud Mesureur

Why Open Recognition Is the Key to Unlocking Human Potential

Posted on March 9, 2023March 24, 2023 by Doug Belshaw

Note: cross-posted at LinkedIn

Person being lifted up holding a trophy by two other people. The trophy is labelled as 'Credential' while the people lifting up the person holding it is labelled 'Recognition'. — Image CC BY-ND Visual Thinkery for WAO

Imagine a world where everyone’s skills, knowledge, and achievements are recognised and valued. A world where individuals are empowered to take control of their learning journey and reach their full potential. This is the world that Open Recognition seeks to create.

Open Recognition is a concept that has gained traction in recent years, and for good reason. It is about recognising individuals’ skills and achievements in an open and transparent way, using digital technologies and decentralised systems. It has the potential to transform how we recognise and value human potential, and create a more equitable and sustainable future.

Open Recognition is like a mirror that reflects back the full spectrum of human skills, knowledge, and achievements. Unlike traditional recognition systems that are often clouded by bias and inequality, Open Recognition clears away the fog and allows us to see the true potential of each and every individual.

Open Recognition promotes fairness and inclusivity by enabling everyone to showcase their skills and achievements, regardless of their background or connections. This is crucial in a world where traditional recognition systems often rely on who you know, where you come from, and your educational background. Open Recognition flips the script and enables everyone to have their skills and achievements recognised and valued.

Open Recognition also empowers individuals to take ownership of their learning and development. By allowing individuals to showcase their skills and achievements in a transparent and accessible manner, Open Recognition gives people a sense of control and autonomy over their own learning journey. This can lead to increased motivation and engagement, which is a win-win for everyone.

It’s not just about individual empowerment. Open Recognition promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing, which is vital for creating vibrant communities of practice. By enabling individuals to share their skills and knowledge with others, Open Recognition fosters a culture of collaboration and innovation that can lead to new breakthroughs and ideas.

Also, let’s not forget about the lifelong learning aspect. Open Recognition can support individuals throughout their entire career by providing a way to demonstrate their competence and value to potential employers. This can lead to new opportunities for career advancement and personal growth.

So, I see Open Recognition as a powerful tool that allows us to see ourselves and each other in a new light. It promotes fairness and inclusivity, empowers individuals to take control of their own learning journey, fosters collaboration and knowledge sharing, and supports lifelong learning and upskilling. Let’s embrace Open Recognition and use it to create a world where everyone has the opportunity to shine ☀️