Regent Blazes a Trail With An Increasingly Popular Learning Tool
Regent University is enhancing students’ competitive edge by offering digital badges to highlight their skills. These micro credentials affirm learning benchmarks for degree-seeking students who are progressing through academic programs and for nondegree-seeking students who are training to improve their standing in the job market.
In a relatively short period of time, an individual can earn a digital badge, which can be posted on a resume or online profile, as a signal to the marketplace that he or she has valuable new skills. At nine credits, these credentials can be earned faster than certificates (12 to 18 credits). Also, if students wish to continue in a degree program, the credits are completely transferrable. As students complete courses in their degree program with a grade of B or higher, they automatically earn badges along the way.
In a relatively short period of time, an individual can earn a digital badge, which can be posted on a resume or online profile, as a signal to the marketplace that they have valuable new skills.
Digital badges are becoming more and more popular in higher education as they document learning experiences both within and outside a standard course paradigm. Purdue University, Indiana University, the University of Utah, Illinois State University, and the Oregon Institute of Technology are just a few of the other institutions offering this innovative academic credential.
Although research shows that badges are still vying for widespread acceptance by employers, that tendency is likely to shift over the next few years with badges becoming more widely recognized. Apple says their digital badge “is an online representation of an outcome or achievement. It’s a secure, shareable credential” that recognizes and validates learning. With one of the world’s leading technology companies already on board the digital-badge bandwagon, the rest of Silicon Valley and Wall Street may quickly follow.
Regent launched a pilot program for digital badges in Fall 2018 and currently offers them in about 50 areas of study. Those disciplines include biblical studies, creative writing, American government, research psychology, computer programming, cybersecurity, engineering, accounting, economics, education, and dozens more. In just one semester, trailblazing Regent students earned an incredible 500-plus badges. It’s a program that “merits” a close look by anyone interested in enhancing their skills and improving their marketability.
If you’re interested in earning a digital badge at Regent University, call 800.373.5504 or visit regent.edu/badges.
