Abstract
Digital badges recognize a particular experience or signify accomplishments, such as completion of a project or mastery of a skill. In a professional context, a learner typically earns a badge by conducting presentations, attending institutes to develop a specific competency, or serving on advisory boards or committees. Digital badges enable professional communities to identify new competency areas and recognize mastery or demonstration of those competencies. Badges signal to colleagues and to current and prospective employers a professional life of active learning, engagement, and ongoing development.