Abstract
The use of symbols in ancient times to reflect different meanings has evolved into modern day usage of digital badges and micro-credentials to indicate achievements, knowledge, skills, and competencies. This article explores the historical overview, motivational aspects, issues, and challenges of digital badges and micro-credentials to provide insight and clarity into the various uses and functions in the modern world. The historical perspective of symbols will be presented, and the historical use of both traditional and digital badges will be defined. In addition, this essay provides current research and literature that focuses on the theoretical foundations and human theories that support badging as well as empirical evidence of digital badge utilization. The discussion will explore fields where traditional badging is prevalent and digital badging has limited use such as industry, business, sports, education, entertainment, and peer group programs. Finally, this essay explores the changes due to technology infusion and the theory of disruptive innovation due to the explosion of technology within the last 50 years, current digital badging, and the future of digital badging.
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Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge and thank Dr. Mansureh Kebritchi, Research Chair for the Center for Educational and Instructional Technology Research at University of Phoenix, for her feedback and assistance in preparing this article.
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Ellis, L.E., Nunn, S.G., Avella, J.T. (2016). Digital Badges and Micro-credentials: Historical Overview, Motivational Aspects, Issues, and Challenges. In: Ifenthaler, D., Bellin-Mularski, N., Mah, DK. (eds) Foundation of Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-15425-1_1
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