What are badges?
A badge at VLACS is a type of micro-credential typically awarded by an educational institution. It is a digital pin that symbolizes a career-related accomplishment. Students can store and manage badges through a platform such as Badgr, Credly, or Mozilla Open Badges. Students have 24/7 access to share their earned badges on email signatures, social media, a resume, or a college application. Students collect badges that are related to their desired career pathway, representing mastery and preparedness for a specific goal, such as certification readiness or prerequisites earned.
What's inside a badge?
A badge is used by a student to show what they have accomplished related to a particular career. Unlike a traditional transcript, it shows what the student actually did to earn the credential, and where they stand in terms of mastery or preparedness for a specific career goal.
Who uses badges?
This system of earning and displaying career-specific qualifications is widely recognized and used in a number of sectors, for example:
Badges are used in secondary schools to apply towards postsecondary education programs, employment, internships or apprenticeships, and certification eligibility.
Badges are used for higher education to apply towards graduate programs, employment, or certification eligibility.
Business professionals earn badges after hosting a work-based learning program. Badges represent industry leadership and show a commitment to improving the future of the workforce through mentoring.
Why are they valuable?
While a traditional transcript shows the courses a student took and the grades they received, badges tell a more complete story. The data embedded in badges provide an in-depth scope of the specific knowledge and skills students acquired in their learning. Unlike a transcript, badges are career-specific, thus encouraging students to explore potential careers and verifying students’ career-specific abilities.
How can you start earning badges?
Ready to start earning your badges? Visit our learning catalog and look for offerings with a blue checkmark under "badges." You will be awarded a badge upon completion of any of these offerings. You can also visit our Badgr page to browse our badge catalog and career pathways!