Colorado’s Digital Badging Initiative: A New Model for Credentialing Technical Math Skills and More

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Brenda PereaInstructional Design Project ManagerColorado Community College System

Colorado’s Digital Badging Initiative: A New Model for Credentialing Technical

Math Skills and More

CredentialingMarketplace

Many types of credentials

Fragmented, multi-layered, complex “system” that doesn’t work well for employers, individuals or

educators

Highly diverse and decentralized

Many actors: schools, industry

groups,occupational groups,

licensing boards,accreditors, and more

Different:• purposes• quality assurance

mechanisms• metrics for awardingDifficult to understand

Public and employer policies struggle to keep pace with new developments

The problem….

Potential attributes of a “new” system

• All learning matters wherever it’s obtained• All credentials are based on learning outcomes (competencies)• Credentials are portable, transferrable, transparent, useful and easily

understood by learners, workers, employers• Helps learners, workers and employers make informed choices about

their investment in and value of the credential they’re purchasing• Helps employers better qualify employees and reduce recruiting time,

employee turn-over, and cost of retraining• Builds a competitive, highly skilled workforce

• Dynamic system – agility to be relevant in rapidly changing labor markets

Learning-Based

&Learner-Centered

US Dept. of Education Viewpoint

• “Badges can help engage students in learning, and broaden the avenues for learners of all ages to acquire and demonstrate – as well as document and display – their skills,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan, 2011.– Duncan also linked badging to competency-

based education, saying it “can help speed the shift from credentials that simply measure seat time, to ones that more accurately measure competency.”

Anatomy of a Digital Badge

Validity of a Badge

OpenBadge Technical Standards

Meta Data StandardIdentifies all the

associated credentials and evidence of the badge

Original Source is Verified

What’s Really Behind the Badge….

Metadata and Criteria

What a badge

looks like in

Brenda’s Badge

Backpack

URL Digital Badge Link on a Resume:https://credly.com/u/

pereaink

Badge Details

available in

Brenda’s digital

backpack

Brenda’s LinkedIn Profile

BADGES IN THE WORLD TODAY

I’ve heard employers are skeptical of badges……

Institutions• Colorado Community Colleges• University of Colorado--Denver• Colorado State University: Skills-Based Digital Badges for

Learning• Indiana University• Peer2Peer University• University of Washington• Yale• Madison Area Technical College• St. Norbert College• Seton Hall: social experience, adjunct to academic• Madison Area Tech College: non credit in workforce

development, badges for PD• UC Davis: sustainable agriculture and food systems major,

develop own goals/skills• Purdue: supplementing classrooms, extracurricular• Purdue Medical School: nursing• DePaul University, U of RI: admissions• Penn State: research;• Indiana University: research• Granite State College: liberal arts skills; skills matrix• UC Irvine• University of Colorado-Denver: Professional Development• Florida International University: Project Management MOOC• Emory: OERs for faculty & students• Arizona State University: Awarding college credit for techJOYnT

Academy badges for STEM courses• Texas A&M: Awarding college credit for tech Academy badges for

STEM courses• George Washington University: edX MOOCs• University of Central Florida: Information Literacy• University of Michigan: Co-Curricular Learning and Reflection

Badges (and others)• Parker University: Badges for Faculty• Texas Wesleyan University: Badges for CETL (Center for

Excellence in Teaching and Learning)

International Deakin University: workforce readiness DeTao Shanghai: masters degree

program for design - for courses and skills

Open University: non-traditional students

UBC: Integrating formal and informal learning pathways with badges

George Brown College: New digital innovation badges recognize outstanding students

Sheffield Hallam University + University of Sheffield: skills development, recognition, and coursework

Zayed University: badging professional development

Sussex University: badges for TEL / professional development

Charles Darwin University Borders College: student engagement,

retention, and employability; professional development

Beuth University of Applied Sciences in Berlin: research

Credentialing and Licensing Boards

• Adobe• Cisco• MicroSoft• Instructure (Canvas) • Thiagi Group• Shedd Aquarium• Educause• American Alliance of Museums• ISTE• Dallas Museum of Art YMCA• National Museum of Natural History• U.S. State Department• NYC Dept. of Probation• National Park Service• MOMA

Companies and Countries

• Ireland • UK• Germany• France• Serbia• Spain• Australia• Canada

• LinkedIn-Lynda.com

• NOAA• TopCoder• StackOverflow• Microsoft• Cisco

City of New York City of Chicago City of Pittsburg City of Dallas

Intel Pearson NASA Smithsonian HR Certificate

Institute BrightSpace Canvas Moodle EdX ProExamCou

Service• Samsung• LearnDash• Extreme

Networks

GlassLabs Games SweetWater

Foundation Bank of America Deloitte Wal-Mart IBM Fossil ACE and the US

Military

Digital badge Value• Assessments• Testing• Portfolio of work• Certifications• Field work in real

time documented w/images, video….

“currency” is based on recognition of the value of demonstrated mastery

Digital Badge PotentialEvery badge issued or accepted is tied to a specific standard or competency with evidence of micro-learning valued in the workforce.

Biggest Challenges to Digital Badges As Main Stream Micro-Credentials

Lack of awareness

Any Questions????

Colorado’s Vision…..

Create a series of digital badges which are:• Competency and skill based• Industry driven • Community centered• Learner focused

Allows a person to differentiate themselves within a competitive

workforce

Enhancement of:current certificates and degrees while highlighting workforce

demanded competencies not evident in courses, certificates, degrees

Evidence or “currency” is based on recognition of the value of demonstrated mastery

• Assessments• Testing• Portfolio of work• Certifications• Field work in real time documented with

images, video

Badges Can Be Used for…..• matching job requirements with applicant skills and

abilities• onboarding (mapping orientation paths)• team building and internal resourcing (micro-

assignments)• regulated compliance training (e.g. health and safety)

clear training/development paths• recognizing/aggregating training sourced externally• bridge building between learning providers and

employment requirements• managing your employees better (performance

management, talent management tool) • better initial 'fit' - "I know I/you have the skills to do

this job" • reduction of churn rate/turnover at specific positions

Companies In Colorado Badging CompetenciesHome DepotHunter DouglasDeloitteSamsungIBMCiscoUS MilitaryAdobeUS State DepartmentNational Park ServiceMicrosoftDenver Museum of Nature and ScienceDenver Public LibrariesColorado Advanced Manufacturing AssociationWalmart

• Document

Credential

• Identify and match to job skills

Competencies

• Review for mastery

Metadata

• Access the digital badge

Badges

• Identify skills and competencies

Competencies

• Evidence of mastery

Evidence• Compile the

metadata

Meta data

• Issue digital credential

Badges

Ecosystem of badges between CCCS and Workforce

Issuing Badges

ACCEPTING BADGES

NROC Math Content

Delivered in 2 Ways:

EdReadyTechnical Math Challenge Test (MAT108)Placement Exam CCPT Test Prep

Learning Management SystemMOOC (Canvas.net)

Badges are integrated here

Questions???

Hierarchy Distinguished by Color

ProficientKnowledge

A proficient performer has academic knowledge and formal training• Informal and formal education• Experience  enables recognition 

of approaches for solving  problems

• Intuitive reactions replace reasoned responses.

ExpertSkills

The expert is able to see what needs to be achieved and how to achieve it• Answer questions• Make more refined and 

subtle discriminations than proficient

• Tailors an approach and method to each situation based on an elevated skill level.

MasteryAuthority

The master has developed superior standards and effectiveness of knowledge• Ability to evaluate effectiveness 

and application of knowledge• Utilizes extending expertise 

within a domain with their own synthesis of tools and methods.

• Ability to teach or train other to become an expert.

ExcellenceDistinguished

Deep understanding of highly complex subjects• Deep expertise, exceeding the 

skill level of experienced professionals

• Influences and mentors others to help them make the best use of skills, knowledge, aptitude and solutions

• Among the most trusted advisors, helps grow and nurture the community of like-minded individuals. 

Colorado Community College System BadgesWe’re currently badging in four areas: Math, Machining, Engineering Graphics, and Faculty

Development.

Technical Math

6 Mastery badges19 Proficient badges

Machining Level I

11 Mastery badges– Industry requested badges based on National Institute of Metalworking Skills Certifications

Engineering Graphics

7 Mastery badges3 Expert badges Industry requested badges based on Colorado business advisory input

Faculty Development

8-9 Mastery badges

Standardized competencies/skill level between colleges for hybrid and online instructors

Faculty Portfolio Assessor

1 Co-Branded badge

Faculty mastery in evaluating the directness which support or provide evidence of obtaining learning course outcomes.

Essential Math

Ratio, Proportion & Percent

Units of Measure

Numbers Powers of 10 & Scientific Numbering

Contextualized Content for Essential Math

Essential Geometry

Angles and Triangles

Circles and Polygons

Geometric Solids and Volume

Contextualized Content for Essential Geometry

Basic Trigonometry

Logarithms VectorsSine, Cosine and Tangents

Contextualized Content for Basic Trigonometry

Essential Algebra

Algebraic Operations

Equations and Formulas

Formulas and Variations

Systems of Equations

Solving Quadratic Equations

Basic Statistics

Graphs Mean, Median, Mode & Probabilities

Basic Finance

Cost Analysis Simple and Compound Interest

Can Math Badges = Jobs?Current Indeed.com job listings is tied

directly back to our Technical Math badges.

VelvetJobs Concept Designer

Lucasfilm Animation and creators of the Emmy award winning animation series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, are looking for a versatile Senior Concept Designer - PROJECT to join their production of the highly successful animation series Star Wars: Rebels.

Primary Responsibilities:Draw and paint digitally to create design sketches and final illustrations of characters, creatures, sets and vehicles.Generate precise 2d character turns as templates for final 3d geometry.Utilize 3d software to create loose sketches of environments, props and vehicles for layout and scale check.

Sigma Labs, Inc, Metal Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) Design/Mechanical Engineer

Position Summary:  Successfully execute customer-sponsored engineering jobs in the area of Design for Additive Manufacturing (DFAM) for 3D metal printing using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) processes. Essential Functions:–       Responsible for performing customer-sponsored engineering project work in the area of DFAM for 3D metal printing.–       Responsible for recommending, developing and implementing operational and efficiency improvements for 3D manufacturing of metal parts using LPBF processes.–       Execute and document design for AM procedures and practices for customer jobs and make recommendations for improvements.  –       Assist in the development of, and verification and validation of DFAM for as-built part geometry for 3D metal parts.

LUNAR Design Staff Designer

LUNAR, an award-winning design firm that has spent 30 years creating everything from game controllers to genetic sequencers to ice cream scoops. In this position, you will: Participate in design charrettesCreate presentation drawings and materialsProduce working CAD geometryConduct research evaluationsIdentify usability and human factor needs

Can Badges = Jobs?Current Colorado job listings is tied directly back

to our Machining Level I badges.

Department of Treasury, Machinist: Set up and operate machines for machining pieces at unusual or compound angles. Determine proper gear train and gear ratios to produce specific pitch, lead, and pitch diameter for various standard and nonstandard screw threads, making the necessary computations for differential, compound and angular indexing. $25-$30 an hour

CMG, Machine Op/Production: Operate machinery and equipment used in the manufacture of products.

Phillips Service Industries, Inc., Machinist: Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers

Barber-Nichols Inc., CNC Lathe Machinist/Programmer: Programming and use of CNC equipment.

Niagara Bottling, Machine Operator: Responsible for overall maintaining of a production line, including starting and stopping of some equipment (palletizers, carton makers, carton sealers, drop packers). No mechanical work is performed without prior approval.

Questions???

Creative Commons Attribution

Digital Badge presentation by Brenda M. Perea is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://www.cccs.edu/partnering-for-success/trade-adjustment-assistance/taa-champ/.

This workforce solution was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration. The solution was created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites, and including, but not limited to accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability or ownership.

OER Material from TAACCT grant

www.skillscommons.org

Special thanks to Brenda Perea!Brenda Perea, Brenda.Perea@cccs.edu

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