Flexible approaches to recognising and validating competences are currently being developed both within higher education and across the wider European context. These initiatives are closely linked to the development of micro-credentials and digital open badges.
Digital open badges are digital credentials that certify verified competences. As these badges are designed to make skills visible to others, they should be clear and visually appealing. A digital open badge typically includes:
- learning outcomes
- assessment criteria
- methods for demonstrating competence
- possible digital certificate of competence
- the issuing institution or organisation
Badges can be awarded automatically through system integrations so that they are, for example, linked to specific achievements. However, the most common approach is awarding a badge based on an application that demonstrates the required competence. Digital badges support the recognition and validation of skills acquired in different ways, meaning they can be issued not only by educational institutions but also by companies or organisations.
It is important to note that not all digital badges represent verified competences. For instance, a participation badge may be earned automatically by attending an event or training session.
Implementing digital open badges requires a dedicated technical system. Several badge management platforms exist, but in Finland, the most widely used is Open Badge Factory (OBF). This system is based on the Open Badges standard, which enables the flexible integration of badges with several educational administration systems. In addition, the Open Badge Passport application has been developed for the personal storage of digital badges.
Ideally, digital open badges can boost student motivation and provide new ways to guide and assess the accumulation of expertise. The focus is on competence-based learning and flexible pathways to achievement. The learning process driven by digital badges, launched in 2019 (Brauer, 2019), is built on a badge management platform.
The Open Badge Factory platform is used at Tampere Universities.