Digital Badges | Digitary Answers the Web’s Most Searched Questions

Digital Badges | Digitary Answers the Web’s Most Searched Questions

Digital Badges | Digitary Answers the Web’s Most Searched Questions

In today’s fast-paced world, continuous learning has become more important than ever before. Not only are technological advancements happening at an accelerated pace, but they’re also anticipated to reshape millions of jobs over the next decade, according to the European Commission. Because of this, individuals need to keep themselves updated with the latest skills and knowledge to stay competitive in the job market. 

But, how can educational institutions and university registrars motivate students to pursue continuous learning when learners don’t see the immediate value in doing so? Read on to find out how organisations across the educational realm are using digital credentials to support and motivate students along their lifelong learning journeys.

Digital Badges

As education landscapes quickly evolve, digital badges have emerged as valuable and verifiable symbols of achievement. However, the accelerated growth of digital badges has been understandably coupled with some uncertainty from education institutions. 

To unravel these mysteries, we’re answering some of the most frequently asked questions about digital badges and exploring how Digitary by Parchment empowers education providers to maximise their potential moving forward.

Getting to know digital badges 

A digital badge is a type of digital credential that’s essentially an online representation of achievements or skills earned by a learner — often used in both educational and professional contexts today. They work by encapsulating metadata, such as issuer, criteria and evidence, to serve as digital proof of an individual’s competencies. 

What is an Open Badge?

Open Badges are not only a type of digital badge, but also the world’s leading format for them. They’re designed with verifiability and portability in mind, encompassing specific details about an accomplishment and the actions taken by a learner to earn the badge. 

Why are digital badges on the rise?

A recent report from 1EdTech and Credential Engine reveals that, as of today, there are 521,070 total badges worldwide that individuals can earn, and over 74,780,775 badges have already been issued — representing a 172% increase in total badges available and a 211% increase in issued badges from 2018. Some of the main factors contributing to the growth of digital badges include:

  • Increasing shift toward online learning.
  • Amplifying gamification in the education sector.
  • Rising digital transformation in institutions and organizations.
  • Growing emphasis on professional skills and development.
  • Introduction of blockchain technology with digital badges. 

Other digital badges FAQs 

Consider the following most commonly searched questions about digital badges: 

Are digital badges secure?

Institutions can rest assured that digital badges utilise secure cryptographic methods to protect sensitive information and prevent tampering in online environments. This ensures the authenticity of a badge and the learning achievements it’s designed to represent. 

How do digital badges align with traditional accreditation and assessment processes?

Traditional degrees and certifications remain incredibly valuable to learners. Digital badges aren’t meant to replace, but instead complement conventional credentials; all while offering a clearer overview of an individual’s specific skills and achievements within the existing assessment frameworks.

How are digital badges leveraged in educational and professional settings?

Because digital badges are flexible, portable and verifiable, learners can leverage them in virtually limitless ways. This might include sharing accomplishments on social pages for friends, family and professionals to see or using badges to elevate a resume and highlight specific competencies earned throughout their learning journey. 

By introducing these credentials, education institutions ultimately enjoy increased marketability of their programs and a more granular view of student achievements. This helps schools attract a wider audience of learners and supports curriculum refinement. 

Are digital badges worth it? 

The short answer is, yes. Digital badges are increasingly valuable for educational institutions, providing the following benefits as a result:

  • Enhanced program visibility and quality.
  • Improved student attraction and retention. 
  • More precise achievement assessment.
  • Better alignment with employer and professional needs.
  • Boosted student engagement, satisfaction and success levels. 
  • A strengthened competitive advantage in the sector. 

Get started with digital badges

According to a report from UPCEA and Pearson, alternative credentials are now offered by a staggering 94% of education institutions — with one in five offering digital badges. As digital credentials become increasingly indispensable in educational and professional realms, institutions can lean on the support of a reliable partner, like Digitary by Parchment, to introduce digital badging systems successfully. 

Digitary is a leading digital credential platform that equips education institutions with the necessary tools to introduce digital badges effectively. Our solutions empower seamless implementation while enhancing credential security through blockchain technology, so your school can navigate the evolving digital badging landscape with confidence.

If your institution is ready to take its next steps in digital credentialing, submit an enquiry to discover how Digitary can support your objectives. 

Bienvenue à l’édition de septembre du « Digitary Digest » !

Bienvenue à l’édition de septembre du « Digitary Digest » !

In today’s fast-paced world, continuous learning has become more important than ever before. Not only are technological advancements happening at an accelerated pace, but they’re also anticipated to reshape millions of jobs over the next decade, according to the European Commission. Because of this, individuals need to keep themselves updated with the latest skills and knowledge to stay competitive in the job market. 

But, how can educational institutions and university registrars motivate students to pursue continuous learning when learners don’t see the immediate value in doing so? Read on to find out how organisations across the educational realm are using digital credentials to support and motivate students along their lifelong learning journeys.

IHEA Members Live on My Equals

Bonjour,

Bienvenue à l’édition de septembre du « Digitary Digest » ! 

Alors que Digitary par Parchment continue d’innover et d’évoluer, il nous fait grand plaisir de partager avec vous certaines des dernières mises à jour et fonctionnalités, ainsi que des nouvelles intéressantes d’un peu partout dans le monde. 

Que se passe-t-il à l’échelle mondiale ?

 

L’accord des universités australiennes

Le rapport intérimaire du ministère australien de l’Éducation souligne la nécessité d’un passeport de compétences national. 

Pour en savoir davantage  >> (en anglais seulement)

La déclaration de Groningue

Réunion annuelle du réseau.

Cette année, la réunion annuelle du réseau de la déclaration de Groningue (RDG) aura lieu du 16 au 19 octobre, à Amman, en Jordanie. En tant que parrains de longue date du RDG, nous serons très heureux de parler de l’avenir des documents d’études numériques auprès de dirigeants du domaine de l’enseignement. 

Pour en savoir davantage >> (en anglais seulement)

Le profil personnalisé

Lancé en juin pour les établissements d’enseignement CORE et My eQuals – le profil personnalisé constitue la plus récente fonctionnalité en termes d’amélioration des options de partage de documents d’études par leurs titulaires.

À même le portail étudiant, les profils personnalisés permettent aux étudiant⋅e⋅s de rassembler leurs réalisations académiques et de les partager, de pair avec des renseignements à leur propos. 

Pour visionner >> (en anglais seulement)

Le passeport virtuel de compétences pour les microcertifications – un projet MesCertifMCPour en savoir davantage

Compte tenu de l’importance croissante des microcertifications, le gouvernement de l’Ontario a financé un projet visant à faire avancer leur développement à l’échelle de la province. Le projet du passeport virtuel de compétences de MesCertifMC a été lancé pour répondre à ce besoin et ainsi aider les établissements à enrichir leur utilisation des microcertifications. En plus d’accroître l’adoption des microcertifications par les établissements de l’Ontario, l’une des principales caractéristiques de ce projet pilote était d’offrir la possibilité d’émettre des attestations vérifiables du W3C dans des portefeuilles étudiants numériques. Qu’est-ce que cela signifie pour les étudiant⋅e⋅s et les établissements d’enseignement ? Essentiellement, que la plateforme offre désormais des options supplémentaires aux étudiant⋅e⋅s en vue de la prochaine vague de partage de documents numériques. En plus de pouvoir continuer à partager leurs documents d’études de manière sécurisée à l’aide des fonctionnalités existantes, les étudiant⋅e⋅s auront désormais la possibilité et l’autonomie de conserver la preuve de ces documents dans un portefeuille numérique sécurisé qui peut être vérifié sans contact auprès de MesCertifMC ou de l’établissement émetteur. 

Les établissements d’enseignement postsecondaire de la Nouvelle-Écosse procéderont tous à la mise en œuvre de MesCertifMC 

La Nouvelle-Écosse, une province reconnue pour l’excellence de ses établissements d’enseignement postsecondaire, a fait une avancée gigantesque en matière de modernisation de ses infrastructures académiques. Tous les établissements d’enseignement postsecondaire publics de la province se préparent à intégrer la plateforme MesCertifMC. Cette mise en œuvre, facilitée par un effort de collaboration avec le Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) et EduNova, change la donne. La Nouvelle-Écosse s’est maintenant dotée d’un cadre numérique robuste qui simplifiera les processus tels que les admissions, les inscriptions et les octrois de diplômes. De plus, ce système est conçu pour appuyer les étudiant⋅e⋅s en facilitant leur transition du milieu scolaire vers celui de l’emploi, avec des démarches plus fluides et intégrées.

 

Des établissements d’enseignement testent le service de vérification d’obtention de diplômes 

L’un des aspects les plus critiques pour les diplômé⋅e⋅s et pour les employeurs est celui de la vérification de l’obtention de diplômes. Dans un monde en proie à la désinformation, il est primordial de pouvoir garantir l’authenticité des certifications. Entre en scène le service de vérification de l’obtention de diplômes. 

Cette nouvelle fonctionnalité a été méticuleusement conçue pour offrir aux recruteurs et aux employeurs une méthode simple pour confirmer l’obtention d’un diplôme. Présentement, les établissements d’enseignement sont occupés à saisir des données de diplomation et à tester rigoureusement la fonctionnalité pour en vérifier l’exactitude et la fiabilité. Une fois rendu public sous le nom de « Vérifier MesCertifMC », ce service renforcera la confiance dans le système d’émission de diplômes numériques, comblant ainsi le fossé entre les diplômé⋅e⋅s et les employeurs potentiels. 

Le cas exemplaire de BBI-TAITE My eQuals – Réduire les coûts et améliorer l’efficacité – Pour en savoir davantage

Une preuve de plus que nos solutions sont pour tous les établissements d’enseignement – Webinaire Pathway Colleges – Pour en savoir davantage 

Congrès et événements – L’équipe a récemment participé à ITECA, à TAFECreates2023 et au congrès HoSA 2023, pour n’en nommer que quelques-uns ! – Pour en savoir davantage

L’équipe CORE sélectionne deux heureux⋅se⋅s gagnant⋅e⋅s lors du congrès annuel de l’Association of University Administrators. – Pour en savoir davantage

L’équipe CORE a un impact énorme au marathon de programmation Hackathon 2023 de Parchment ! – Pour en savoir davantage

Ensemble, nous transformons le paysage éducatif. Merci de nous accompagner dans cette aventure !

Communiquez avec notre équipe.

 Digitary by Parchment

How Institutions Are Leveraging AI in Education To Support Learners

How Institutions Are Leveraging AI in Education To Support Learners

How Institutions Are Leveraging AI in Education To Support Learners

In today’s fast-paced world, continuous learning has become more important than ever before. Not only are technological advancements happening at an accelerated pace, but they’re also anticipated to reshape millions of jobs over the next decade, according to the European Commission. Because of this, individuals need to keep themselves updated with the latest skills and knowledge to stay competitive in the job market. 

But, how can educational institutions and university registrars motivate students to pursue continuous learning when learners don’t see the immediate value in doing so? Read on to find out how organisations across the educational realm are using digital credentials to support and motivate students along their lifelong learning journeys.

IHEA Members Live on My Equals

Artificial intelligence (AI) holds considerable potential to address some of the most pressing challenges in the modern educational space. This includes enabling personalised learning experiences, automating administrative tasks, innovating teaching practices and facilitating data-driven insights to enhance student performance — to name a few.

However, accelerated technological developments are accompanied by inherent risks and challenges — outpacing policy debates and regulation frameworks — that organisations will need to consider throughout AI tool adoption. 

With this in mind, we’re exploring the value, and drawbacks, associated with AI solutions in an educational setting to help you determine if this tech is the right direction for your institution.

The growth of AI in the higher education sector  

AI in higher education (i.e., the utilisation of artificial intelligence technologies to enhance different aspects of the learning experience) has witnessed accelerated adoption and use in the past few years. In fact, according to a report by Global Market Insights, AI in the education market is predicted to exceed $80 billion by 2030. This expedited growth is attributed to a few main reasons:

  • Advancements in AI technology, such as improved algorithms and increased computing power, have enabled accessibility and educational integration.
  • Digital data and the ability of AI to process and analyse this information are increasingly available, opening up new possibilities for data-driven insights to inform educational practices. 
  • Institutions believe AI can help address complex challenges in the sector, all while providing more personalised learning and efficient administration.

These driving factors are quickly fueling growth as educators seek to improve both the learning experience and student outcomes. As AI continues to evolve and new applications emerge, the higher education industry will likely witness further exploration and integration of these technologies.

Key uses of AI adoption for your institution 

A study from IDC and Microsoft covering 509 higher education institutions found that nearly all respondents (99.4%) believe AI will be instrumental to the university’s competitiveness in the next few years. With the primary goals of boosting student results, enabling the future workforce and driving innovation, let’s take a closer look at how an educational institution can leverage artificial intelligence for success:

  • Personalised learning: An AI-powered learning platform has the functionality to analyse student data to deliver customised content, adaptive assessments and recommendations that collectively tailor the learning experience to a student’s individual needs — supporting long-term engagement and performance. 
  • Intelligent tutoring systems: To supplement traditional classroom instructions, universities are progressively turning to virtual tutors and chatbots for support, providing learners with real-time help, answering questions, offering explanations and guiding them through complex subject matter more successfully. In fact, a survey from Intelligent revealed a shift in tutoring resources, with 75% of respondents reporting they preferred ChatGPT as an educational tool to relying solely on human tutors.
  • Predictive analytics: Institutions can leverage an AI algorithm to analyse student data and predict student performance. This opens the door for educators and organisational leaders to identify at-risk students and consider intervention strategies early on, promoting higher retention rates and academic success. 
  • Automated grading and feedback: With the help of AI, teachers and administrators can introduce systems to automatically grade objective assignments. This is a great option to not only provide students with instant feedback but also save instructors valuable time — giving them the space necessary to focus on the human-centric aspects of the job. 

Considering the potential drawbacks of AI in education 

From teaching and learning to admissions and grading, AI systems are infiltrating higher education. But, as the potential and use of this tech grows, more questions and concerns are being raised at the same time. Widely speculated shortcomings of cutting-edge technology in higher education include:

  • Privacy and security concerns: Because AI implementation requires the collection and analysis of a massive amount of learner data, there are increasing security concerns about possible data privacy issues, security breaches or even the misuse of sensitive information. 
  • Ethical factors: Some of the largest barriers to AI adoption are ethical questions regarding data usage, algorithm bias and the possibility of automation replacing human interaction. This has quickly led to sector-wide anxieties about the equity, fairness and overall impact of new tech on higher education. 
  • Cost and resource constraints: While the benefits of AI tools can be promising, implementing them often requires a significant financial investment for universities. The required infrastructure, software and training costs of introducing solutions effectively can be challenging for institutions with limited budgets and resources. 
  • Lack of standardisation and best practices: The growth of AI may be explosive, but it’s still a relatively new addition to the field of education. As such, it’s no surprise that the rapidly evolving nature of this tech has made it challenging for agencies and institutions to keep pace with establishing standard practices, guidelines and benchmarks for ethical use and quality assurance. 

Future-proofing your institution with digital solutions 

Ultimately, AI technology for the education industry demonstrates a clear potential to revolutionise the teaching and learning experience, while posing a unique set of challenges that will require attention and consideration along the way. However, the projected growth of these solutions indicates that AI isn’t going anywhere, anytime soon. With proper planning and a balanced approach, teams can leverage AI tech to achieve organisational goals while empowering students to succeed. 

As your institution embarks on its digital transformation journey, digital credentialing solutions like Digitary by Parchment can play a pivotal role in supporting and promoting your online strategies. Our platform enables learners, institutions and employers alike to issue, manage and verify digital credentials with ease — while ensuring authenticity and accessibility. With decades of experience providing credentialing support to leading institutions, you can promote transparency, enhance employability prospects for learners and enable lifelong learning opportunities. 

Ready to embrace the digital age and strengthen learning experiences with help from Digitary? Submit an enquiry today to get started.

Recent MyCreds & Digitary By Parchment Initiatives

Recent MyCreds & Digitary By Parchment Initiatives

Recent MyCreds & Digitary By Parchment Initiatives

In today’s fast-paced world, continuous learning has become more important than ever before. Not only are technological advancements happening at an accelerated pace, but they’re also anticipated to reshape millions of jobs over the next decade, according to the European Commission. Because of this, individuals need to keep themselves updated with the latest skills and knowledge to stay competitive in the job market. 

But, how can educational institutions and university registrars motivate students to pursue continuous learning when learners don’t see the immediate value in doing so? Read on to find out how organisations across the educational realm are using digital credentials to support and motivate students along their lifelong learning journeys.

IHEA Members Live on My Equals

In an age dominated by digital transformation, institutions, employers, and learners alike crave efficient, transparent, and secure solutions for education and credentialing. This is precisely what Digitary by Parchment and ARUCC (Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada) aim for when we refine and improve the MyCreds platform. Through our collaborative efforts, three new initiatives have been recently launched that are set to keep MyCreds as the number one choice for Canadian Institutions.

Virtual Skills Passport (Micro-Credentials Pilot)

With the growing importance of micro-credentials, the Ontario government funded a project to advance the development of micro-credentials in Ontario. The MyCreds Virtual Skills Passport pilot project was initiated to address this need and to support institutions in broadening their use of micro-credentials. 

In addition to expanding the adoption of micro-credentials by Ontario institutions, one of the key features of this pilot was to deliver the ability to issue W3C Verifiable Credentials into Digital Learner Wallets. But what does this mean for students and institutions? In essence, the platform now provides additional options for learners ready for the next wave of digital credential sharing. Learners can continue to securely share their documents using existing functionality but now also have the ability and autonomy to‌ hold proof of their documents in a secure digital wallet that can be verified without contact with MyCreds or the issuing institution. 

Nova Scotia’s Leap Towards Digital Transformation With MyCreds

Nova Scotia, a province known for its top-tier post-secondary institutions, took a monumental step forward in modernizing its academic infrastructure. Every public post-secondary institution in the province is now preparing to incorporate the MyCreds platform.

This implementation, facilitated through a collaborative effort with the Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) and EduNova, is game-changing. It means that Nova Scotia has now equipped itself with a robust digital framework that will streamline processes like admissions, registrations, and graduations. Moreover, this system is geared to support students as they transition from their academic life into the workforce, providing a smoother, more integrated journey for all learners.

Introducing the Graduate Verification Service

One of the most critical aspects for both graduates and employers is the verification of academic credentials. In a world rife with misinformation, ensuring the authenticity of qualifications is paramount. Enter the Graduate Verification Service.

This new feature has been meticulously designed to offer recruiters and employers a straightforward method to confirm a learner’s official graduation status. Currently, institutions are busy inputting their graduation data, rigorously testing the service to guarantee accuracy and reliability. Once it’s publicly released under the name “MyCreds Verify”, this service will instill further trust in the digital credentialing system, bridging the gap between graduates and potential employers.

Embrace Innovation With Digitary by Parchment

The realm of education and credentialing is in constant flux, and to stay ahead, we must embrace innovation. The enhancements made to the MyCreds platform, thanks to the concerted efforts of Digitary by Parchment and ARUCC, are a testament to what collaboration and forward-thinking can achieve.

Are you an institution or employer keen to dive into the future of digital credentials? Discover more about how Digitary by Parchment can transform your educational experience and professional journey. Get in touch with us today to learn more!

 

How Digital Badges Are Used in Higher Education and Professional Workplaces Today

How Digital Badges Are Used in Higher Education and Professional Workplaces Today

How Digital Badges Are Used in Higher Education and Professional Workplaces Today

In today’s fast-paced world, continuous learning has become more important than ever before. Not only are technological advancements happening at an accelerated pace, but they’re also anticipated to reshape millions of jobs over the next decade, according to the European Commission. Because of this, individuals need to keep themselves updated with the latest skills and knowledge to stay competitive in the job market. 

But, how can educational institutions and university registrars motivate students to pursue continuous learning when learners don’t see the immediate value in doing so? Read on to find out how organisations across the educational realm are using digital credentials to support and motivate students along their lifelong learning journeys.

IHEA Members Live on My Equals

In today’s ever-evolving educational and professional landscapes, traditional methods of assessing and recognising educational achievement are not the only option to empower learners. Credentialing technology in the form of digital badges is emerging to enhance and augment the conventional learning experience — whether in a classroom or the workplace. 

Boasting versatility, portability and shareability, these competency-based credentials are quickly gaining traction as a powerful means of certifying and showcasing accomplishments. To uncover this innovative approach to flexible and continuous education, we’re taking a closer look at digital badging and how organisations are taking steps to harness the potential of these solutions. 

Taking a look at the growing digital badges landscape

Digital badges, sometimes referred to as digital credentials, provide organisations with a meaningful way to recognise and verify a learner’s specific skills or accomplishments — all in a portable format that can be easily shared online. An individual badge encompasses more than a mere visual image or logo; in reality, it’s a dynamic and portable icon embedded with learners’ verified data. This qualifying information includes:

  • The badge issuer.
  • The location and method of earning a digital badge.
  • A detailed description of the specific skill, achievement or competency met.
  • Links to multimedia artefacts (e.g., websites, images or documents).
  • Expiration dates and continuing education information (if applicable).

Key drivers of digital badge expansion

Systems for digital badging in both the educational and professional realms are on the rise, putting a spotlight on the true value of lifelong learning and continuous professional development. In fact, market research from Valuates Reports revealed that the global digital badges market is set for massive growth, with experts estimating it to reach a value of $365.1 million by 2028. This accelerated progress can be attributed to:

  • Increasing demand for more personalised, accessible and flexible learning opportunities.
  • Intensifying calls for digital learning via various online platforms.
  • Fast-paced advancements in technology and, in turn, greater potential for digital badges.
  • Growing recognition and acceptance by institutions and employers.

While there’s no shortage of the types of competencies that a digital badge might represent, examples include anything from data analysis and programming languages to leadership and teamwork, cybersecurity and project management. By arming badge earners with a tangible and verifiable certification of a specific learning achievement, organisations can more effectively empower learners on their unique, lifelong educational journeys. 

Common use cases of digital badges today

Let’s consider how digital badges are used in the education sector today: While credentialing technology provides concrete evidence for student achievement, digital badging systems can be leveraged strategically to ensure personalised educational opportunities. This boosts the overall learning experience and drives organisational recruitment and retention. 

The University of Central Oklahoma, for instance, introduced digital badges as a tool to combat the growing lack of soft skills in the workforce — focusing on topics like professional communication, business etiquette and reputation management. According to a University Professional and Continuing Education (UPCEA) and Pearson survey of 190 institutions, one in five educational institutions offers digital badges today. What’s more, 94% of the organisations profiled provide alternative credentials, which will likely drive the continued growth of digital badging moving forward. 

In the professional world, an employer can utilise badges to verify the skills and competencies of job candidates and existing employees, not to mention facilitating ongoing professional development long-term. Professional learners can then easily share achievements through the integration of badges into online job platforms, social media and professional networking sites or company-specific systems. Leading global brands, including IBM and Salesforce, have already adopted digital badges to certify employee expertise, as more and more companies embrace skills-based hiring and learning programs. This is not only reinforcing a culture of lifelong learning but helping convert relevant industry knowledge into verifiable educational credit.

The value of digital badges for institutions, learners and employers

As employers and educational institutions increasingly introduce systems for digital badging, there are several key benefits that stakeholders can anticipate as a result:

  1. Learners receive enhanced visibility of their achievements and competencies, allowing them to display a more holistic profile of their expertise on demand. 
  2. Students can take advantage of digital badge portability, making it simple to share and showcase credentials across platforms and social media.
  3. Educational institutions have the opportunity to meet growing demands for more flexible and accessible learning environments with credentialing solutions. 
  4. Employers can implement more efficient talent evaluation; improving the chances of a proper job fit in the hiring process and revealing workforce skill gaps for existing employee development. 
  5. Organisations can enjoy the assurance of expertise with authenticity and verification built into digital badges.

The culmination of these distinct digital badging benefits helps teams across professional and educational environments to promote a better overall learning experience and foster a culture of continuous education. 

Introduce Open Badges with help from Digitary 

As digital badging continues to grow, educational institutions and professional workplaces hold a remarkable opportunity to bridge the gap between conventional learning and the escalating need to showcase validated certification and skills, quickly and easily. Incorporating credentialing technology that supports micro-credentialing strategies can help your organisation fortify its future by empowering learners and augmenting its attractiveness as a result. 

Digitary by Parchment provides trusted credentialing solutions enabling the world’s leading institutions, learners, employers and government agencies to certify, issue, accept and verify academic credentials worldwide. You can drive your micro-credentialing strategies and help learners tell their complete story with Digitary Badges, powered by an open-source digital badge platform. 

If your organisation is ready to meet the evolving needs of learners today while empowering individuals along their unique lifelong educational journeys, submit an enquiry today to get started.