What are Open Badges?

A digital badge is a visual symbol of accomplishment. They can be awarded for any definable achievement and earned in many learning environments, games, or the workplace. Open Badges are a specialized type of digital badge that contains verifiable metadata about achievements according to a common data format, the Open Badges specification.

Badges can be awarded for achievements of all kinds, such as:

interest and engagement
participation
attendance
knowledge or dispositions
formal certification (degrees, certificates)
proficiency, competency or skill

Learning today happens everywhere, not just in the classroom. But it's often difficult to get recognition for skills and achievements that happen outside of school. Digital badges can be used for many purposes including informal and formal learning, inside educational institutions and businesses, as well as outside.