Understanding digital badges in higher education through assessment

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an argument why digital badges in higher education should be used as an assessment tool and not only as a credentialing mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper unpacks the use of digital badges in videogames and explains how it aligns with quality assessment practices. Several research studies are provided as examples of this alignment.

Findings

Because different people have different reactions to different badges, some people will likely be best served by badges that are designed to be assessments.

Originality/value

The meta-analysis in this paper helps to shift current thinking on the use of digital badges in higher education away from a framework that only considers badges as credentials. Digital badges that are designed as assessments can be educative for learners who would otherwise not benefit from its use.

Citation

Abramovich, S. (2016), "Understanding digital badges in higher education through assessment", On the Horizon, Vol. 24 No. 1, pp. 126-131. https://doi.org/10.1108/OTH-08-2015-0044