What is a Digital Badge?

Sample Digital Badge.

A digital badge is a new type of credential that allows you to show specific skills that you have gained through learning experiences. A digital badge is an icon but it is not a static image. It is web-based, clickable, and contains unique verifiable metadata. Metadata includes information regarding issuing institution, date of issuance, criteria for earning and evidence that the learner has met the criteria.

Evidence is supporting information such as: the learner's work, rubrics, course information, peer or expert endorsement, narratives, documents, videos, etc. Evidence can be uploaded or shared via a link. 

Digital badges are dynamic credentials that you own, so you can decide how you want to use them. Once you earn a badge, you may use it however you wish. Digital badges can be put on social media sites, such as LinkedIn, added as a link on your digital resume, and embedded in your e-portfolio.