Badges
Badges are an incentive-based approach used to motivate users to complete more training and learning activities; basically through a recognition and reward approach. This functionality enables Badges to be created with rules configured that define how the Badge can be attained through the completion of certain trainings or general platform activities. Badge rules are slightly different to Experience Track rules as they consider achieving experience points as a condition and are also based on activity completion numbers rather than awarding points.
Learners can achieve badges through learning activities including the completion of courses, the completion of learning content (media or tests), or the creation of forum content. Once a learner has the required number of learning activities for a badge, it will be allocated to them. Achieved badges are displayed is full colour and it is also possible to display badges that the learner could earn in a dulled grayed out colour (optional). If there is a “Download” icon this means that the badge was created as an "Open badge" that can be transferred to display in other systems such as LinkedIn.
The imc Learning Suite comes pre-configured with approximately twenty example Badges that can be updated if desired. It is additionally possible to create further badges as described in the following section.
Functions in the Badges Manager
New
Creating Badges is a simple process that takes a few minutes to complete. Ideally Badges are created once a system is populated with content and prior to learning commencing as Badges will not award retrospectively. When creating a Badge there are three tabs to complete which are the "Description" tab to describe the Badge, the "Groups" tab to assign the Badge and the "Rules" tab to define the achievement conditions. Each tab along with the included fields and options are described below.
Description Tab
The description tab contains the attributes through which the badge is identified as well as various settings. The attributes for identification include the name, a description and an image. Learners will be shown the name, image and description of how to attain the badge on the learner screen.
Name: Name of the Badge as displayed throughout the system including to the learner. Normally the name would be something short as it displays on a small tile and something catchy.
Description: Used to briefly describe the Badge and how it can be achieved. This is visible when a learner opens the Badge “Details” page.
External object ID: Badges are managed by a separate “Gamification” server component known as a Learning Record Store (LRS). In contrast to other objects in the system, an external object ID will be displayed instead of a native object ID.
Image: Visual representation of the Badge and is important to represent the purpose of the Badge. Supported image formats are .png, .gif, .jpg and .jpeg; However, if using the Open Badges integration where learners can share their Badges to external systems the image must be in .png format. Image upload size limit is 1mb and the ratio recommendation is 150px by 150px.
Hidden badge: If ticked the Badge will not display to the learner in the “Badges” tab unless it has been earned; whereas non-ticked Badges will display to assigned users grayed out even if not earned. Therefore, hiding is more of a surprise whilst showing can increase motivation for the learner to achieve desired badges as they can see what is required.
Open Badge: Ticking as an “Open badge” enables the learner to download a standard-based file of the achieved Badge, normally to store or share on another platform such as Linkedin. The information about the issuer and provider will be included in the Badge based on the Open Badges standard. Open Badges can be verified with compliant verification tools. Open Badges serve as a great way to recognise certain official competencies or training achievements that learners would like to share; especial when skills or qualifications are transportable, see “Open Badges” for further information.
Provider: Open Badges require the selection of a “public provider” and here is where a provider can be selected. The providers- are selectable from those available in the “Provider” function (Settings / Meta elements / Provider) function where there is a checkbox “Public provider for open badges” that determines if the provider can be selected for an Open Badge. Simple Badges can also have a Provider assigned, however it must be ensured that the learner group for which the badge is aimed has clearances on the selected provider.
Rank: A ranking number can be used to adjust the display order of Badges for the learner. The lower the ranking, the further forward the badge will be shown. Numbers can be repeated an if a learner has multiple badges with the same rank the sort will work via creation date.
Groups Tab
The "Groups" tab is where Badges are assigned to groups so that users within the added groups are able to achieve the Badge. Therefore, Badges are only shown to users if they are a member of any of the listed groups. If learners are removed from a group or if the group is removed from the Badge, the learners will no longer be able to see the Badge; the data though is retained ensuring learners retain their achievements if the assignment to group in the Badge is restored. To add a group simply use the "Add" icon and groups for which the creator/editor has clearance will be displayed.
Rules Tab
Badges are rule based. I.e. there are rules for specific actions which will be evaluated as soon as learners are doing such actions. The "Rules" tab is where the conditions for earning a Badge are defined. When creating a rule condition there are multiple options to select from which are:
Rule for the completion of courses: Select a number of completion “Activities required” from selected Courses or Courses tagged with selected Classifications. The latter provides a more flexible approach as any new Course tagged with the selected Classifications will be automatically considered in the conditions; e.g., a new course session of a date-dependant course template.
Rules for the completion of media: Select a number of completion “Activities required” from selected Media items where completion can be via Course, Catalogue requests or Bookshelf assignment. Any new Media items created that are required for the rule condition will need to be manually added as there is no Classification approach. Supported Media components types are External content, External tool (LTI), Files, Links, Multimedia and all WBT formats.
Rules for the creation of forum content: Select a number of “Activities required” from selected “Forum” media items where posting or replying to a conversation thread constitutes an activity.
Rules for passing tests: Select a number of “Activities required” from selected Tests where a “Passed” status constitutes an activity. The Tests would normally be linked to a Course to record the status.
Rule for the submission of feedback: Select a number of “Activities required” from selected Feedback Forms where a submission status constitutes an activity. The Feedback Forms would normally be linked to a Course.
Rule for achieving experience points: Enter the “Number of experience points required” from selected Experience Tracks. The number of points is an accumulation of the selected Experience Tracks and does not necessarily require full completions of any Experience Track to achieve the Badge.
Each rule type has administrative "Name" and "Description" fields which are not visible to the learner. Multiple rule types can be added to a single Badge to create "And condition" rules and the number of learning activities required for a learner to receive a badge is defined per rule. The conditions vary depending on the rule type and the rule is considered satisfied once one of the conditions is met. Badges are allocated as soon as a rule is met.
Edit
Delete
Clearances
Badges are always automatically released via the master client of the user who created them. Users must be assigned to the client in order to be able to see badges of another master client. This does not require changes to be made to the master client. Like all objects, Badges are bound by Clearances that determines which users or groups have access and to what level.
In terms of Learner visibility Badges are displayed alongside Experience Tracks in the "Experience area" learner menu or via the "Badge panel" (177) panel that can be optionally added to internal dashboards.