With the widespread adoption of online learning and e-learning platforms, traditional methods of assigning qualifications and certifications to learners have become largely adapted to these new learning systems as well. Badging and accreditation are two such systems of recognition for students, and they play a huge role in enhancing the credibility of e-learning programs.
Badging refers to a digital representation of skills and achievements attained by a learner in an online course or program. Badges are usually displayed as icons on a learner’s profile or resume. Accreditation, on the other hand, involves a formal evaluation by an accrediting body of the quality of the educational program being offered. This evaluation usually involves a set of predefined benchmarks that need to be met by the program for it to be recognized as accredited.
Badging and accreditation have several benefits for both learners and educators in the e-learning space. Here are some ways these systems of recognition benefit both parties:
Enhanced credibility: With the help of badging and accreditation, e-learning programs and courses gain a degree of credibility that might have been difficult to achieve otherwise. A badge or an accreditation certificate signals that a program has qualifying benchmarks achieved.
Motivation for learners: The ability to earn badges or certifications in online courses often serves as an incentive for learners, who are then motivated to complete courses and gain skills. This motivation can result in increased student engagement, retention, and completion rates that are beneficial to the student themselves.
Proof of skillset: Badging can serve as proof of a learner’s acquired competencies and can be used to demonstrate the skills they have gained to future employers. Accreditation also serves as a mark of quality for an educational program, and employers often look for accredited programs when considering job applicants.
Quality Assurance: Accreditation not only enhances the credibility of a program but also serves as a quality assurance measure. This is particularly important in online courses, where students do not have the face-to-face interaction with instructors that often comes with traditional classroom learning. Accreditation ensures that the educational program or course is up-to-date, relevant, and meets the standards established in that particular field.
In conclusion, badging and accreditation are essential components of e-learning programs. They serve as recognition, and accreditation provides proof of credibility and can motivate learners. Additionally, they serve as validation for the skills attained by learners in online courses and provide employers the assurance of the knowledge and experience gained by the learners. Finally, it is important to note that the value of these systems increases as more and more educational institutions recognize their importance as a means of providing validation for learning.
