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Case study · Microcredential Program

A digital badge framework that means something

A taxonomy and visual system I design for colleges and training programmes, so learners, faculty and employers can tell at a glance what a badge represents and what it took to earn it.

  • Framework design
  • Badge system & icons
  • Assessment mapping
  • Higher education & workforce

Not all badges are equal

A digital badge is the online version of a certificate: proof of learning from a course, workshop, project or internship, with metadata that shows the skills developed and how they were assessed.

But a badge for attending a webinar and a badge for passing an industry certification shouldn't look the same. This framework sorts badges by effort and evidence, so decision-makers can read them quickly and learners know exactly what the next level asks of them.

Digital badge taxonomy

Formal

Structured learning, assessed and verified with evidence of competency.

Level 1

Foundation

YOUR COLLEGE ProfessionalFoundations KNOWLEDGE LEVEL 1
Cognitive level
Remembering & understanding
Activities
  • Quizzes and short tests
  • Work-integrated learning
  • Experiential learning
Evidence
  • Participation records
  • Quizzes and assessments
  • Completed activities
Badge type
Knowledge
Level 2

Application

YOUR COLLEGE ProfessionalFoundations SKILL LEVEL 2
Cognitive level
Applying & analysing
Activities
  • Skill building
  • Practicum portfolio as evidence of work completed
Evidence
  • Skill demonstrations
  • Portfolio review
  • Reviewer feedback
Badge type
Skill
Level 3

Mastery

YOUR COLLEGE ProfessionalFoundations ABILITY LEVEL 3
Cognitive level
Evaluating & creating
Activities
  • Upskilling to stay current in the field
  • Documented projects
Evidence
  • Project evaluation
  • Performance measures
  • Peer and mentor feedback
Badge type
Ability
Level 4

Certification

YOUR COLLEGE ProfessionalFoundations CERTIFICATE LEVEL 4
Cognitive level
Creating & leading
Activities
  • An accredited, industry-recognised certification, track, specialisation or learning path
Evidence
  • Credential validation
  • Recognition records
  • Workforce validation
Badge type
Certificate (verified expertise)
Nonformal

Engagement and experience, verified by participation.

Engagement

Attending

YOUR COLLEGE ProfessionalFoundations PARTICIPATION ENGAGEMENT
Cognitive level
Participation
Activities
  • Attending a presentation, webinar or seminar
Evidence
  • Engagement verified by attendance or participation
Badge type
Participation
Service

Leadership

YOUR COLLEGE ProfessionalFoundations MERIT SERVICE
Cognitive level
Leadership
Activities
  • Peer-to-peer recognition or motivation
Evidence
  • Experience validated through completion records or an employer
Badge type
Recognition

Badge anatomy

Every badge in the system is built from the same five parts, so a whole programme reads as one family.

YOUR COLLEGE ProfessionalFoundations KNOWLEDGE LEVEL 1 12345
Level 1 Knowledge badge with numbered parts.
  1. IssuerThe college, department or programme awarding the badge.
  2. Skill, course, event or meritWhat the badge was earned for.
  3. IconA simple line icon for each type of learning: book, tool, target, seal, people or star.
  4. Category & levelKnowledge, Skill, Ability, Certificate, Participation or Merit, with the level written out for accessibility.
  5. Shape & colourHexagons for formal, assessed badges; a circle for participation and an octagon for recognition. The ring gets brighter as learners move up, from Level 1 to the white Level 4 certificate.

Designed for

Colleges, departments and workforce programmes launching or tidying up a digital credential offer.

What I deliver

The taxonomy, assessment and evidence mapping, badge templates and icon set, and guidance for staff who issue badges.

Interested?

Let's design a badge system for your programme. Get in touch →