Digital Badges Discussion Q4: What adult education issues may arise for public sector (local, state, federal) involvement in badges? For private sector involvement?

Hi all,

There have been some great additions to our discussion over the weekend.  Thanks to all of you have participated so far.  We are now on day seven of our The Potential and Value of Using Digital Badges for Adult Learners discussion.

Today we move on to Question 4. What adult education issues may arise for public sector (local, state, federal) involvement in badges? For private sector involvement?

You can continue to respond to the earlier questions in each of those strands

Welcome to Digital Badges Discussion. Q1 How are badges different from credentialing methods used in the past?

Digital Badges Discussion Q2: What are the roles for quality & content standards (in awarding badges)? Of accreditation? Development processes?

Digital Badges Discussion Q3: Where do badges derive their value, what is their value, and how might it evolve?

 

best,

Nell

Comments

Digital badges wsill probably raise some interesting issues for both public and private sector involvement in adult education.  Several issues come to mind for public sector involvement, including:

    *How will digital badges be connected with other public sector initiatives in adult education?  Will they evolve to offer a smooth & small-grained series of stepping stones or "on-ramps" into adult education systems, standards and credentials like the GED, the Common Core and others that we have been discussing?

    *How will state and federal government decide which badges to recognize for particular purposes like alternative high school completion, Pell grant eligibility for postsecondary education, and accountability purposes for adult ed programs?

    *How will state and federal government decide which badges to recognize for certification, professional development, CEUs for adult ed practitioners?

For private sector involvement in adult education, issues that will likely arise include how to monetize badge preparation and issuance services while maintaining trust and integrity among stakeholders of adujlt education.

What other issues do you see for public and/.or private sector involvement in digital badging in adult education?