Unpacking Badges for Lifelong Learning [25Sep11] - 0 views
hastac.org/...cking-badges-lifelong-learning
badges learning currency identity reputation motivation community
shared by Dan R.D. on 25 Sep 11
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Author: Sheryl Grant
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If badges are like degrees, diplomas, grades, or currency -- which many of us have collected and displayed and benefited from -- what's wrong with them? Why are badges worse or better? If badges are visual signs of rank, reputation, membership, and identity, and are just another way to show affiliation, why are they different than, say, titles, clothing, hair, language, accents, bumper stickers, friends, or an alma mater?
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Because badges hinge on motivation. Most of the energy in the badges conversation seems to have roots in the different ways people think about motivation, and more specifically about motivation and learning. What motivates learners to learn? What de-motivates them?
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For me, the most interesting intersection of the Badges for Lifelong Learning conversation is where learning theories overlap with research into virtual communities, new collectives, commons-based peer production -- whatever you want to call what we do online. A good deal of Internet research is about participation and motivation. If anything connects the badges community, it's seems to be the belief that more participation is better.
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The communities of practice research links new collectives like Wikipedia with learning and identity, and authenticity is thought to affect people's motivation to learn and participate and reach goals.
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What if badges are just one more way to represent feedback? What if they're the best, most versatile way to provide feedback, whether that feedback is many-to-one, one-to-one, or many-to-many?