Challenge 1: Define the current ecosystem
One of my tasks in my role is to build capability of academic staff to use Technology to enhanced student learning experiences. For this purpose I conduct different professional development workshops, eModerating course (similar to David Hopkins), Carpe Diem courses for facilitators, as well as Carpe Diem workshops to build learning resources.
None of the professional development courses/sessions that I run have any certifications. eModerating course awards a certificate that indicates attendance and completion. The capacity building workshops are generally 1-2 hours and they are either faculty based requests or based on a new upgrade to the LMS or as an introduction of a new tool. The eModerating course runs online, for 5 weeks.
Three badge system for the eModerating course will fit in well within its learning outcomes and requirements.
1. Making a start(week1)
2. Creating an etivity(week 4)
3. Completing the Personal Development Plan (week5)
Offering of badges for the professional development sessions is more complex than the above case. It would be two stage tasks.
1. Learning Badge:
Offer a learning badge when the professional development is attended. Since the sessions are about a particular technology or how to enhance teaching and learning, it would be important to record the PD undertaken.
2. Skill Badge:
This badge will be offered when the evidence of how the knowledge/skill gained s used to deliver a course is produced.
3. All these courses are specific to the university
4. They are either undertaken by the academics who are:
- a. enthusiastic of making a difference to teaching and learning,
- b. staff who are compelled to use new technology either the technology has changed or the course delivery mode has changed
5. Some are very experienced academics while occasionally new recruits join the PD session to learn how to use technology for Teaching and Learning.
6. Learning resources are developed and made available to all staff through various media through the website, LMS and print and softcopy versions.
7. The concept of badging will need to be piloted within a small group. This will require support from higher level managers as well as an enthusiastic Badge tester group. Such a pilot will assist identifying problems, areas that need improvements etc. It will enable a safe environment to fail and/or trial something new. The PD groups are for academics and the pilot will bring feedback on two key area: a) about the badge system b) how/why they will/will not use such a system in their course delivery.
8. Once the trail is complete based on the results either, it will have to go through another iteration or will have to be communicated with other managers, coordinators etc. the results will be show cased at Learning Technology forums, Teaching and Learning forums, IT and HR forums, Research forums and committees etc. This process will lead to seek senior management commitment for the badging and recognition PD through badging. The process will blend well with evidence portfolios which also enable to gather professional development evidence.
9. These badges can be collected into a backpack that will then assist towards Graduate Certificate Units. It will be a great opportunity for the participants as well as the Deans/HR/Coordinators to track what PD have been undertaken, how staff have used technology for teaching and learning etc.
10. My thoughts have create a plan for the university and how they could use badges to provide a better learning environment as well as motivate staff to be involved, while maintaining a record system