A digital badge is a web-enabled version of a credential, certification or learning outcome which can be verified in real-time, online. A digital badge can represent knowledge, skills, and observable behavior involvements recognized in online or offline life. Each digital badge is associated with an image and some metadata. The metadata provides information about what the badge represents and the evidence used to support it. Badges are an alternative form of credentialing popular in learning contexts.  It is important to note that a digital badge recognizes learning and growth wherever it happens and helps people connect their accomplishments across institution types.

Digital badging is the process of awarding someone a digital badge denoting a particular experience, skills or observable behaviors they have obtained for professional or personal development. It is the digital version of your credentials. The digital image (badge) contains verified metadata that describes your qualifications and the process required to earn your credential.  The technology enables you to manage, share and verify your knowledge, skills, and observable behaviors digitally.

A badging platform translates the learning outcomes you’ve demonstrated into a badge which enables you to manage, share and verify your credentials digitally.

Representing your skills as a digital badge allows you to share your abilities online in a way that is simple, convenient, trusted and easily verified in real time.  Digital badges provide peers, supervisors and leadership concrete evidence of what you had to do to earn your credential and what you’re now capable of.

After you have successfully completed the criteria, you will receive an email notification from the issuer with instructions for claiming your digital badge and setting up your account.

Privacy settings in the badge platform can be configured to control or limit information made available to the public.

Resumes and CVs are static, so need to be continually updated. Badges are inherently dynamic and so create a constantly evolving picture of a person's development - particularly since they can be integrated into automated systems. Badges can also represent a much more detailed picture than a CV or resume typically would.

The data for an awarded digital badge includes a link to the badge class information, which includes descriptions of what the badge represents.

Learning outcomes you’ve demonstrated are translated into a digital badge and are issued and managed through a Platform. The Platform is based on the Open Badge Standards maintained by IMS Global. This enables you to manage, share and verify your credentials digitally.

While badges are simply digital image files, they are uniquely linked to data hosted on the Acclaim platform. This link to verified data makes them more reliable and secure than a paper-based certificate. It also eliminates the possibility of anyone claiming your credential and your associated identity.