Glossary
Accreditation: Formal, independent verification that a program, institution, or product meets established quality standards and is competent to carry out specific tasks. In other words, it's like a seal of approval from a trusted authority saying that an educational program or institution has met high-quality standards.
Alternative Credentials: Forms of certification or learning recognition that serve as an alternative to traditional educational credentials like degrees, often validating an individual’s skills and competencies outside of formal education systems. For example, a digital badge for project management expertise could be an alternative credential for someone who hasn't got a formal degree in that field.
Assertion: The technical term for the claim that a person has achieved a badge, including information that ties the badge to the earner, the issuer, and the criteria for issuing the badge. In other words, it's a digital statement that vouches for someone having earned a particular badge, complete with the details of who gave it and why.
Attestation: Verification by the issuer that the individual has met the specific criteria for earning a badge, often part of the evidence within a badge. For example, it's like a teacher signing off on a student's test, confirming that the score they achieved is correct.
Badge: Digital representations of skills, learning achievements, or experiences that an individual has earned. In other words, they are virtual badges, much like scouts earn and sew onto their uniform, but for digital skills or learning milestones. This is often a shorthand for Open Badges (see below)
Badge Class: The class or category of a badge, defining common properties and criteria for all badge instances within that class. For example, if you think of badges as currency, the badge class would be like the denomination that tells you if it's a one-pound coin or a ten-pound note.
Badge Issuer: An entity or organisation that creates and awards digital badges to earners. In other words, they are the 'badge factory' that designs and hands out badges to those who've earned them.
Claim Code: A code that an earner can use to claim a badge issued to them, often used when badges are issued en masse or during live events. For example, it's like a pickup code for a parcel at the post office; you need the code to get your item, or in this case, your badge.
Competencies: Defined abilities, skills, knowledge, or behaviours that can be measured and are tied to specific activities or achievements. In other words, competencies are the specific set of skills and know-how you have, like being good at cooking or fluent in Spanish.
Consumer: In the context of open badges, an entity, such as an employer or educational institution, that recognizes and values the badges as evidence of competencies or learning. For example, a company may look at your digital badges to quickly see what skills you bring to the job, much like checking the labels on food packaging to understand what's inside.
Credentialing Body: An organisation or institution that provides certification to individuals who meet certain qualifications or standards. In other words, it's like a referee in sports who has the authority to officially recognize players' abilities and performance.
Criteria: The specific requirements that must be met for a learner to be issued a badge. For example, it's the list of achievements you need to tick off, like a quest in a video game before you can level up.
Decentralised Identifier (DID): A type of identifier that enables a verifiable, Self-Sovereign Identity that does not rely on a centralised registry, identity provider, or certificate authority. In other words, it's like having an online identity that is completely under your control, much like having your own personal ID that no one else can manipulate or take away.
Description: Detailed explanation of what the badge represents, including what was done to earn the badge and what it signifies in terms of skills, achievements, or competencies. In other words, it's the backstory of a badge, telling you what adventures the earner went through to get it.
Digital Badges: Specific types of digital credentials that visually represent an individual's abilities, learning achievements, or experiences. For example, they are like virtual medals displayed on your online profile for others to see your accomplishments. The most common kind of digital badges are Open Badges (see below).
Digital Credentials: A broad category encompassing various types of certifications, including digital badges, that are issued electronically to affirm an individual’s competencies, education, qualifications, or participation in learning activities. In other words, they are the e-version of certificates and diplomas you would hang on your wall, but for the digital world. Again, the most common type are Open Badges (see below).
Earner: An individual who has met the criteria to receive a badge or credential. For example, just as a runner crosses the finish line to earn a medal, a learner completes certain tasks to earn a badge.
E-portfolio: An electronic portfolio that collects an individual’s work and achievements in a digital format, often including badges and other digital credentials. In other words, it's like a digital briefcase filled with all your professional documents and achievements that you can show to others online.
Evidence: Documentation or artefacts that demonstrate an individual’s achievement or competency related to a badge. For example, it's like the photos or videos of a gymnast performing a routine, providing proof of their skill.
Expiry/Expiration: The date or condition upon which a badge or credential is no longer considered valid. In other words, much like a carton of milk has an expiry date, some badges may also 'go off' after a certain period or if certain conditions are not meta or proof of skills not renewed.
Endorsement: A formal statement or indication that someone, often an expert or reputable entity, approves or supports a particular badge or credential. For example, it's like a celebrity chef endorsing a new kitchen gadget; their support adds credibility to the product. This can be added to a badge's Metadata (see below).
Formal Learning: Structured learning that typically occurs within an educational institution, leads to certification, and is often guided by a curriculum. In other words, it's the traditional school or university learning where you follow a set program and get grades and certificates at the end.
Identity: The information that uniquely identifies the badge earner, such as a name or email address. For example, it's the personal details that differentiate you from someone else, much like your ID card does in the physical world. An emerging field is a decentralised form which does not rely on a trusted entity: see Self-Sovereign Identity.
Informal Learning: Learning that occurs outside of a structured curriculum, such as self-directed learning or learning through experience and social interaction. For example, it's what you learn by doing things like playing guitar in your free time or cooking with a family member.
Learning Outcome: The specific knowledge, skills, abilities, or attitudes that students are expected to acquire from engaging in a particular set of educational activities. In other words, it's what you should be able to do or understand after completing a learning activity, much like the 'level-up' skills a video game character gets after finishing a quest.
Learning Pathway: The route or course taken by a learner through a range of learning activities, which could lead to a credential. For example, it's like a map that shows you the way from beginner to expert in a skill or subject area.
Lifelong Learning: Ongoing, self-initiated pursuit of knowledge for personal or professional reasons throughout an individual’s life. In other words, it's the mindset of continuously learning new things, no matter your age or stage in life, like always having a book or project you're working on.
Metadata: Data providing information about one or more aspects of the badge, such as the issuer, criteria for issuance, and evidence. It's embedded within the badge and ensures its validity and authenticity. In other words, metadata is like the detailed label inside your clothing that tells you where it was made, by whom, and how to take care of it.
Microcredential: A certification indicating that an individual has achieved a specific skill set or competency, often in a niche or specialised area. For example, a microcredential in social media marketing is like a specialty course that focuses on just one aspect of marketing. In higher education, such as universities, the concept of a 'microcredential' usually means a short course that leads to a badge.
Non-formal Learning: Educational activities that are organised and systematic but take place outside the formal educational system. In other words, it's like a structured workshop on photography that you take on weekends at a local studio, not at a college or university.
Open Badges: A type of digital badge that conforms to the Open Badges Specification, allowing them to be shared and verified across various platforms. For example, these are like digital coins that you can spend or display in different online shops or arcades, not just the one where you got them.
Open Badges Standard: A technical specification that provides a framework for recognising and verifying learning achievements and skills through digital badges. Invented by the Mozilla Foundation and now stewarded by 1EdTech (formerly IMS Global Learning Consortium), this standard ensures interoperability between different systems and platforms that issue, share, and display digital badges. The latest iteration, version 3, aligns with the Verifiable Credentials data model, which is a W3C standard for expressing credentials on the Web in a way that is cryptographically secure, privacy-respecting, and machine-verifiable. In other words, the Open Badges Standard v3 is like a universal language that allows digital badges to be understood and trusted across the internet, similar to having a passport recognized internationally due to standard features and security measures.
Open Recognition: The awareness and appreciation of talents, skills and aspirations in ways that go beyond credentialing. This includes recognising the rights of individuals, communities, and territories to apply their own labels and definitions. Their frameworks may be emergent and/or implicit. In other words, open recognition is like a community garden where various forms of growth—be they plants, flowers, or vegetables—are appreciated for their unique contributions, not just the ones with official awards or ribbons. For example, it's the acknowledgment of someone's ability to lead community projects effectively, even if they don't have a formal management title or certification, recognising the value and impact of their contributions on their own terms.
Peer Assessment: Evaluation of an individual's work or performance by their colleagues or peers, often used in collaborative learning environments. For example, it's like your teammates providing feedback on your contribution to a group project.
Policy Documents: Official papers that outline principles and criteria for certain actions and decisions, often used within organisational or governmental settings. In other words, these are the rulebooks that organisations follow to make sure everything is done correctly and fairly.
Policy Documents: Official papers that outline principles and criteria for certain actions and decisions, often used within organisational or governmental settings. In other words, these are the rulebooks that organisations follow to make sure everything is done correctly and fairly.
Portfolio Assessment: An evaluation method that involves the systematic review of educational or work samples compiled by an individual to demonstrate their skills, achievements, and growth over time. For example, it's like a highlight reel of your best work that you show to a potential employer or client.
Professional Development: Continued training and education to improve and enhance an individual’s skills and knowledge in their professional field. In other words, it's like taking additional courses or attending workshops to stay sharp and up-to-date in your job.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Assessment processes that evaluate an individual's existing skills and knowledge, typically for the purpose of formal recognition or credit within an educational program. For example, it's acknowledging that the years you spent managing a business have taught you as much about leadership as a formal management course might.
Revocation: The process of invalidating a badge, often due to the earner no longer meeting the issuing criteria or due to an issue with the badge itself. For example, it's like having a trophy taken back because the rules of the competition were not followed.
Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI): A digital movement that allows individuals to own, control, and share their identity without relying on centralised authorities. In other words, it's like having a personal key to your digital information that only you can use to unlock and share your data.
Skills: Specific learned activities that an individual can perform, which can be validated and recognized through badges or credentials. For example, being able to create a website, fix a car, or write a compelling story are all skills that you can learn and prove you have.
Stackable Credentials: Credentials designed to build upon each other, allowing individuals to progress over time from one level of education or qualification to another. In other words, it's like collecting pieces of a puzzle that, when put together, show a complete picture of your educational journey.
Storytelling: The art and practice of narrating stories, often used as a method to convey personal experiences, educational content, or cultural values. For example, it's like sitting around a campfire sharing stories that entertain, teach, or inspire.
Validity: The extent to which a badge or credential accurately represents the knowledge, skills, and abilities it purports to certify. In other words, it's making sure that a digital badge for first aid really means the person knows how to perform CPR.
Verifiable Credentials: Digital claims that are tamper-evident and can be cryptographically verified by a third party. For example, it's like a virtual ID card that can be checked online to prove it's genuine and hasn't been faked.
Verification: The process of confirming the authenticity and validity of a badge or credential, ensuring that it was issued by the claimed issuer and earned by the recipient. In other words, it's like verifying the authenticity of a designer bag before buying it to ensure it's not a counterfeit.
Wallet: A place that allows individuals to store, manage, and share their credentials securely. It operates similarly to a physical wallet that holds money and personal ID cards, but for digital credentials. A wallet in this space is like a personal digital locker where you can safely keep your earned badges and credentials, and from which you can easily present them when needed, such as during a job application or professional verification process. For example, just as you would show your driving license from your wallet when asked for proof of identity, you can present a digital badge from your digital wallet to prove your educational achievements or professional skills.
Workforce Development: Programmes and policies that increase the skills of the workforce, often in response to the needs of industries and employers. For example, it's like a series of training sessions at work that help you and your colleagues learn new software that your company has started using.