3.5 A Comparison of CLR and Badges

To advance a digital ecosystem that facilitates the shift in focus to skills, competencies, and employability, many higher education institutions have developed badging initiatives to motivate learners, increase retention, build learning trajectories that lead toward certifications, recognize achievements and provide opportunities to earn badges in conjunction with degrees. Considered a type of microcredential, badges offer additional opportunities for learners to engage in authentic lifelong learning. Badges represent skills and provide context for learning.

CLR is more than a badge. It is container of all learning, which can include badges, certified achievements, competencies, skills, and essentially learning from across the university and beyond. According to AAC&U (2008), “A well-designed culminating experience such as a performance or portfolio of best work can also be a springboard for connecting learning to the world beyond the campus.” And making this portfolio not only portable for students to take with them as they continue their education and career for life, but interoperable across multiple government, employer and human resources platforms.