Self-Directed Learning Through Badges for Makerspaces

Outline

Content and Engagement

Content:
Introduction to Badging: Define badges and their role in self-directed learning in Makerspaces.
Designing Badges: Guide participants through creating badges that align with specific skills and goals.
Implementation & Assessment: Discuss how to integrate badges into classroom routines and evaluate progress.

Engagement:
Audience Poll: Gauge current experience with badging.
Real Examples: Share actual badges and student work.
Badge Design Activity: Participants design a badge relevant to their own context and share it with peers.

Time Breakdown
Introduction & Poll (5 min)
Badging Overview (10 min): Explain the role of badges and show examples.
Badge Design Activity (20 min): Groups create a badge for their classroom.
Implementation & Assessment (10 min): Share integration and evaluation strategies.
Sharing & Feedback (10 min): A couple of groups present their badges or groups can cross share with each other depending on the number of participants attending the session.
Wrap-Up & Q&A (5 min)

Process
Poll: Quick audience poll on experience.
Group Work: Collaborative badge design.
Peer Feedback: Groups present ideas and receive feedback.
Real-World Examples: Show authentic examples, supported by student work and templates.

Supporting research

I am very fortunate to work directly with Brad Flickinger here at the American Community School of Abu Dhabi. His most recent book on badges called Empowered Teaching: A Novel of Inspiration and Change, can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Empowered-Teaching-Novel-Inspiration-Change/dp/1445706520

Using Badges in the Classroom to Motivate Learning.
This article from Faculty Focus discusses how badges can motivate students by recognizing accomplishments and promoting skills development. It also offers practical advice on how to implement badges in your classroom, including integrating them with grading or using open badging platforms like Mozilla’s system. https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-with-technology-articles/using-badges-classroom-motivate-learning/

Purdue University - Technology Badges
Purdue University offers a variety of digital badges that focus on essential tools and skills, including blogging, screencasting, research tools, and cloud storage. These badges allow students to demonstrate proficiency in specific areas, helping them develop useful technical skills for their studies and future careers. https://education.purdue.edu/online-learning/online-programs-and-certificates/masters-in-learning-design-and-technology/technology-badges/

And my final resource on badges is:
Digital Badges in Education - MobileMind
This article explains how digital badges can be used as micro-credentials to verify student achievements and skills in technology-based learning environments. It also discusses how badges increase engagement and motivation for both students and educators by providing clear goals and rewards. https://blog.mobilemind.io/digital-badges-in-education