Code-Switching Learning Outcomes using Digital Badges

Created by Nicholas Schiller / @nnschiller
Library Instruction West Conference
Portland State University, 26 July 2014
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code switching

In linguistics, "code-switching" means mixing languages or patterns of speech in conversation.

...code-switching is about dialogue that spans cultures. It evokes the conversation we want to have here.
NPR Code Switch Blog FAQ

learning outcome

Performance target that describes the real-world application of learning objectives.
From Char Booth's Reflective Teaching, Effective Learning: Instructional Literacy for Library Educators (glossary)
See also: Outcomes Assessment Model

digital badge

A badge is a symbol or indicator of an accomplishment, skill, competency, or interest. Badges can be used to represent achievements, communicate successes, and set goals.

From Mozilla Open Badges FAQ Note: I'm focusing on the symbol and ignoring the underlying metadata & certification aspects.

There is tension between learner centered instruction & outcomes assessment.

learner-centered instruction

Student-centered learning; education that focuses on the effectiveness of learning and the student experience rather than the effectiveness of teaching and the instructor experience.

From the glossary in Char Booth's Reflective Teaching, Effective Learning: Instructional Literacy for Library Educators (glossary)

Outcomes Assessment

Formal or informal appraisal or judgment of two- or four-year college programs or students in relation to institutional or public expectations of achievement or development -- often but not always measured against specific objectives
ERIC Thesaurus


Subtext: It's important to note that program (or institutional effectiveness) assessment and student assessment (or assessment of student learning) are very different things. Beware the bait & switch.

Assessment vocabulary is ABOUT student learning, but students are not the audience.

Is this good UX design?

goals and outcomes from my syllabus
  • Book has useful insight into measuring in education
  • Better to light a candle than to make grumpy tweets about neoliberalism and Taylorism

Program assessment can be made more student centered with digital badges.

section of syllabus rubric compare to goal with badges
examples of badges

Badges make clear and friendly links between student work and goals and outcomes.

Use visual design elements to make connections.

color, shape, icon, contrast, texture, text, size

Goal

The goal is indicated by the outside shape of the badge.

badge outlines

Outcomes

Outcomes are indicated by the interior color of the badge.

background color

Course Topic

Course topic is indicated by the icon and text of the badge.

badge icons

Assessment

Badges can be used as metadata to put assignments in context with the course concepts, learning outcomes and goals.

Example: CMDC Program Goals & Outcomes

cmdc goal 5 outcomes

Compare without badges

Example: DTC356 Course Topics

library of congress classification badge      taxonomy badge
field searching badge      operator badge

Use my badge images.

Example: Assignment instructions with badges

assignment with badges

but what about...?

  • making badges work in one-shot instruction?
  • tutorial, guides, screencasts?
  • just making institutional effectiveness assessment student-centered in the first place?
  • questions? Let's talk.

Image attribution

  • Library designed by Pieter J. Smits from the Noun Project LICENSED UNDER: Creative Commons - Attribution (CC BY 3.0)
  • Library designed by Plinio Fernandes from the Noun Project LICENSED UNDER: Creative Commons - Attribution (CC BY 3.0)
  • Network designed by Stijn Janmaat from the Noun Project LICENSED UNDER: Creative Commons - Attribution (CC BY 3.0)
  • Library designed by The Noun Project from the Noun Project LICENSED UNDER: Creative Commons - Attribution (CC BY 3.0)
  • Now You See it book cover from Brilliance Audio and Audible.com

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