Open Badges

 I have been hearing about open badges for a while but didn’t really understand them. Finally, it’s now making a bit more sense after watching the video for SSSC23 things BadgeNo2 - Open Badges, as well as reading an article that I was directed to about the creation of open badges and the continued expanding use of the badges.

With my increased understanding comes a realisaiton that they can be used for social care staff to show they have taken responsibility for their on-going development which is a demand placed upon them in the social service workers SSSC code of conduct. I didn’t realise the badges are easily shared by the person who owns the badge or that the badge contains meta data (I didn’t even know this term) which means someone you share the badge with can see areas of increased knowledge and skills development and most importantly the evidence you provided to gain the badge,

It seems such a simple way of being able to keep all your learning in one place in an easy way rather than keeping bits of paper that is easily lost.

Receiving a badge that you can keep is a motivator for people to become involved in achieving badges as it allows for the validation of informal learning. Completing the work in your own time whenever it suits means you can work on your own development at times your lifestyle allows. Organisations could be encouraging staff to complete badges within a relaxed timescale and ensuring staff have time to discuss new learning and new skills with either their supervisor or at team meetings.

Until I went on to SSSC open badge webpage I had no idea they held so many badges on such a variety of topics and produced by so many organisations.  The variety of topics allow you to start delving into new knowledge etc. that may be required as you develop within role or start to work with a different client group.

It’s all a bit more overwhelming to start with but I think in my organisation we need to raise the awareness of the SSSC open badge website, how you use it and most important how having a virtual back bag of badges may help you when you want to evidence your learning and skills development.  It is so helpful how you can use the evidence from meeting badge criteria for PRTL when it comes to maintaining your SSSC registrations.