The latest Moodle function to be added to Moodle is more than just an exciting new feature: It has the potential to start a small revolution in online learning.The feature is called Open Badges, and it’s a flexible, more visible way to reward students. Read our free guide to find out how it works.

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Make Achieving Fun:
An introduction to the new Open Badges function for Moodle 2.5
Sponsored by Webanywhere Ltd.

2. Make Achieving Fun: An introduction to the new Open Badges function for Moodle 2.5
The latest Moodle function to be added to Moodle is more than just an exciting new
feature: It has the potential to start a small revolution in online learning.The feature is
called Open Badges, and it’s a flexible, more visible way to reward students.
The Open Badges project was co-funded by the Mac Arthur Foundation and Mozilla,
famous for developing the Firefox web browser, now used by one quarter of the
world’s population. The aim of the project was to enhance recognition of learning and
motivate students through the rewarding of ‘badges.’
Open Badges are a simple idea: Through learning achievements, both practical and
theoretical, students can be rewarded in both a flexible and highly visible way.
Each badge contains metadata - information regarding the achievement - when the
badge was awarded, what it was awarded for and who by. For example, a yellow badge
with a book could mean a student who has achieved an A at GCSE English literature.
This is a visual signpost of the qualifications and skills a student has, and also helps to
illustrate the skillset for potential future employers. Open Badges can be posted and
viewed anywhere the student, or the school, wishes.
How Open Badges work
For the student, Open Badges provide a solid body of evidence to take to Universities,
colleges or potential employers.
Through the work they do at school, the student can build up a collection of badges.
Each time they complete an assignment, exam or piece of coursework, a new badge is
earned.

3. Make Achieving Fun: An introduction to the new Open Badges function for Moodle 2.5
A name
A description
An image
The issuer Name
The issuer Email
The Badge expiry
A set of criteria defining how it is issued
A message to the user that is sent once it is earned
Therefore, Open Badges assist both the potential employer in assessing a learner’s
abilities and suitability for a job or course, and they assist the learner in gaining
recognition faster and more visibly.
For the school, issuing these badges means all students’ achievements can be easily
displayed in one online location. They also serve to create more competition amongst
learners, with a greater feeling of achievement when a badge is awarded. This drives
learners to work harder and go further. The most outstanding badges achieved by
students within the school can become great PR opportunities for the school itself.
BADGES = visual representations
of a skill or achievement
The determination to earn more badges than their peers means the student works
harder to earn the badges they need. When it comes to applying for an apprenticeship,
job or University course, whereas other students may have the beginnings of a CV, or
paper certificates, the student with Open Badges awarded to them has every bit of
information needed to verify the award. Every Open Badges contains:

4. Make Achieving Fun: An introduction to the new Open Badges function for Moodle 2.5
Laura is a Year 10 student. She is hoping to leave school at 16 and start an
apprenticeship at a local accountancy company. Her general performance in school is
good, but she tends to always fall around the halfway point in exams for most subjects.
Despite her interest in accountancy, to her teachers, Laura is not seen as a strong
student likely to stay on at the school to complete ‘A’ levels - mainly due to her general
performance in exams. Laura herself has no real faith in her own abilities, and therefore
has chosen to eschew University for, what she feels, is a more achievable goal.
As others in her year begin to work harder to be awarded badges for different achieve-
ments, Laura is inspired to work harder for them too.
Laura’s form tutor decides, at the start of the school year, to set a competition to see
who can achieve the most badges before the term ends. The first place prize is not only
a trophy, but also a trip to Alton Towers theme park.
Realising that this could help her chances of gaining not only an apprenticeship, but
also opening the door for other opportunities - like continuing on at school to do Maths
‘A’ level or going to college to study for an Accountancy diploma, Laura relishes the
challenge. Over the coming months she works hard in all lessons, even taking part in
out-of-school activities - something that she wouldn’t normally consider.
Open Badges in school: A story
However, when Open Badges are introduced to the school’s Moodle, Laura takes a
keen interest in what these mean, how they can be achieved and how they can help her
in the future. Never one to enjoy exam-based studies, Laura realises that she can now
earn these very attractive-looking badges for any kind of work she excels in.

5. Make Achieving Fun: An introduction to the new Open Badges function for Moodle 2.5
Laura earns badges for strong results, not only in the classroom, but also outside of
school hours as well, spending longer on her homework assignments. Each time she
earns a new badge, it spurs her on to achieve another. Her peers can see the badges,
too - and inspired by Laura’s success, they work harder to achieve their own badges.
By the end of the school year, achievement across the year group has improved - and
the badges are an immediate visual representation of this. When Laura wins the prize
for the most badges at the end of the year, her achievements are not only visible to her
peers, teachers and her parents, but she is able to demonstrate her hard work immedi
ately to the business she chooses for work experience.
Laura uses her badges to secure work experience at a local accountancy business.
When she begins her work experience, she is able to show the Open Badges to the
business owner. As the business is using a Totara platform - the corporate world’s
equivalent of Moodle - he immediately understands the importance of using the
Open Badges system, and is also able to award Laura a badge for her hard work during
her work experience.
Within a year, Laura has built up an impressive collection of badges thanks to the
Open Badges system - and when Laura later chooses to stay at school for ‘A’ levels,
she is able to present this proof of achievements as one whole body of work to
Universities.

6. Make Achieving Fun: An introduction to the new Open Badges function for Moodle 2.5
The Open Badges benefits
Where will Open Badges take us?
Capturing Learning Achievements - through the use of badges, core competencies
of students will be captured and recorded and held within a single learning record
Achievement Signalling - teachers, tutors and potential future employers will be able
to identify talents quickly and easily
Motivating the Classroom - badges will provide students with recognition of their
learning whilst motivating them to achieve more!
Supporting Innovation - students will be motivated to work harder at those skills they
are developing and gaining badges for. Their success will spur others on to do better
and stretch themselves further.
Reputation Building - those who are developing their competencies will be identified
and their reputation within the school will become known. Furthermore, students will
be building a portfolio of achievements that are instantly accessible and recognisable,
perfect for starting great careers or applying for University in the future
Open Badges
Ecosystem
Capturing learning
achievements
Supports innovation in
the creative economy
Motivates the workforce
Achievement signalling
Reputation building
Community building
As we see from the above story, Open Badges will provide endless benefits to both
schools and students.

7. Make Achieving Fun: An introduction to the new Open Badges function for Moodle 2.5
Want to learn more?
Why not give Webanywhere a call - on 01535 604026.
Webanywhere is an Official Moodle partner.
Webanywhere
Orchard House
Aire Valley Business Centre
Lawkholme Lane
Keighley
West Yorkshire BD21 3BB
Tel. 01535 604026
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