Reflection

The Digital Badging process is a great way for teachers and other professionals to gain professional development experience while working at their own pace. Some benefits are that topics are generally smaller in focus and scope and therefore easier to "digest", badge earners can work at their own pace, and evidence of learning is more uniform across different badge opportunities. Earners sign up for a badge they are interested in earning, complete required tutorials, submit evidence of learning such as a screenshot or link to a document, and complete a reflection of their learning.

Digital badging is a new professional learning opportunity afforded to Orchard Park teachers. Badges are short, online, asynchronous training opportunities for teachers to become certified experts in specific areas of knowledge and abilities. To begin earning a badge credential, teachers should sign up for the badge in Frontline; once approved, teachers may begin the training modules. Teachers will watch video tutorials and will be provided opportunities to practice new skills. Once completed, teachers will be required to submit various pieces of evidence, from screenshots and links of performed work to written reflections. Once a badge is completed, teachers will request feedback and reviewers will look over a teacher's badge evidence and award a digital certificate (which will then be uploaded to Frontline to receive credit). 

Digital badging is a process that starts with signing up through Frontline. Once signed up through Frontline, a person will go to the badgelist website through Orchard Park CSD to join a Badge. A digital badge is a beneficial type of professional development because these are short (1-3 hour) virtual trainings that can be completed at your own pace. It is required through the digital badging process to complete the training video, submit required evidence and then post a reflection. Once completed, a person will "Request Feedback" which will allow their evidence to be reviewed to be awarded the badge. I am excited to go through more badges!

The digital badging process is quick and painless. They are small courses that can range from 1-3 hours to become proficient in a specific skills. There will be checkpoints to prove your proficiency to earn each badge. These could include taking a screenshot, providing a link of the work you have done, or writing a reflection. After all your evidence has been uploaded you need to "request feedback" so someone can review my work. Once that is done, I will get an email stating that my certificate is available to me and I can upload it to frontline to receive credit.