Using Digital Badges for Developing High School Chemistry Laboratory Skills

Digital badges are emerging as an approach to offer microaccreditation for student achievements obtained in ongoing course work. They act to offer a formal recognition and framework for multiple small components which together make a significant contribution to student learning. Badges are promoted as a way of highlighting these particular components. The process of awarding a badge relies on evidence, typically in digital form, such as video. In this article, we report on the implementation of digital badges in high school chemistry for the teaching and accrediting of achievement in laboratory skills. Pupils watched videos prior to the classroom to assist them in preparation for a demonstration activity. In the classroom, students demonstrated the laboratory technique to a peer while the peer videoed the demonstration on a mobile phone. This video was then used to review the demonstration by both peers and teacher, and once the technique was considered satisfactorily demonstrated, a badge was awarded. As well as development of laboratory technique, the badging process facilitated the formal incorporation of oracy into the classroom. Demonstration required narration, and review required discussion between peers as well as discussions arising out of the demonstration with the teachers. We report here how the activities were organized, along with perceptions from students and teachers regarding the value of this approach in the classroom.