Awards, badges, certifications, and recognitions are testimonies of ones abilities and knowledge. Earning these credentials are honors of hard work and learning. I seek ways to improve myself through various activities and events. I attend courses, trainings, webinars, conferences, and seminars for professional, and personal development. I, in turn, share that knowledge with you through projects and support. This lets you know that I take pride in what I do. I strive to be the best I can be. In all businesses, it is beneficial to continue growing and learning all you can about your trade. Learning about other areas provides cross-training that better equips persons to meet needs at hand. For me, life is learning and learning is life.
Types of Credentials
Traditionally, awards and certifications are symbols of achievement and honor. The person may have done something sacrificial or performed a duty well. The merit of the award or certificate is stating that someone worked hard and accomplished something. Recognition comes in many forms. Such formats include trophies, prices, diplomas, certificates, placards, and the like.
Digital badges are similar to what you see on uniforms: insignia showing that achievement and mastery have occurred. Badges are useful in representing many things such as experiences, successes, skills, competencies, learning, associations, community involvement, peer interaction, etc. Digital badges include an image and a set of metadata that explains the badge and the evidence behind it. The result is that each badge carries all the information needed to understand and value the badge with it as it is exchanged or shared. A key difference with digital badges are the associations that issue a badge. Organizations are verifying learners attainment of knowledge and skills met competency standards.
