From theory to practice

There is a growing momentum for (Open) Badges and (Digital) Credentials in education and training: in organisations to verify capabilities, in education to ensure mobility via stackable credentials, and in policy to foster upskilling and reskilling at scale. However, ten years after the idea of interoperable skill recognition with Open Badges was first presented, there are still only a few good practical examples — and the world is still far from harnessing the potential of digital credentials at scale. At the same time, technology has evolved (for example around digital identity), verification standards have emerged, and the need is larger than ever due to global mobility and increasing job flexibility.

ICoBC envisaged its symposium to identify pathways “From Theory to Practice”. In line with its statutes to ensure a systemic view, ICoBC invited experts and stakeholders to provide input from different perspectives: companies, education providers, ministries, and associations. Two additional strands were woven into the event — 21st-century skills and digital identity — to connect the various organisational and individual stakeholders.

Throughout the event, which spanned time zones in North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, the challenge was taken up in different groups, mixed and reshuffled, to hear the input of all stakeholders, expert and non-expert.

In rotating workshops, six topics were discussed and compiled to reach a holistic understanding of what a successful ecosystem of digital badges and credentials could look like, what is missing, and which steps are needed.

Find the results of the workshops on this Miro board, and videos and further materials on our YouTube channel.

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