We had an incredible time at the Badge Summit, where the spirit of Open Recognition was at its vibrant best! 🌈 The event brought together a swell of awesome community members who wholeheartedly embraced the power of recognising lifewide learning beyond traditional boundaries.

From the engaging pre-conference webinars to the unconference workshops and spontaneous house parties, the summit was a whirlwind of inspiring discussions.

🫡 What we stand for

cc-by-nd Bryan Mathers

Open recognition is the original innovation of badges, and it’s the reason technology was pushed towards making decentralised recognition possible. The intention of this community to make learning accessible to marginalised groups also comes into this innovation. A tool is only a tool, it’s the way we use it that makes a difference.

This community is committed to advocating for learners. We work on:

  • Coalition Building: Empowering people who want to use Open Recognition
  • Community Building: Reach people who are uneasy about top-down credentials
  • Building Capacity for Advocacy: Help the community promote and champion Open Recognition
  • Community Organising: Celebrating people, giving them tools to help in their individual contexts
  • Communications and Messaging: Providing an understandable story and reusable assets for and with the community

🚀 Rocket fuel for collaboration

In our various sessions, we had the opportunity to push a number of community conversations forward. Three key advancements coming out of the Badge Summit

  1. The establishment of a recognised body within the USA that allows community members to go after funding for projects specifically related to Open Recognition. Led by Justin Mason and Krystal Rawls, we’re sure we’ll be hearing a lot more about the tentatively named L.O.R.E. soon.
  2. Further specification around An Open Recognition Toolkit. The community identified the need for a package of resources before the Badge Summit and took the in-person time to further define what it is. Stella Porto and Philippe Petitqueux led the discussion, and we’ll work together to figure out what’s next.
  3. The welcoming of new community members! Oh geez, what an incredible and inspirational group of people we had the pleasure of meeting at the Badge Summit. Obviously there are too many to mention, but thank you to those who have taken the next step and joined the community here!

🏅Get your badge!

Your active participation and enthusiasm at the Badge Summit make you eligible for some special badges! 🎖️ Earn your Open Recognition Explorer badge here: Badge Link. There’s also the KBW/ORE at Badge Summit 2023 badge. We’ve done our best to ensure that community members already received this badge, but if we missed you, please let a moderator know!

📅 Session overview

A very special shoutout to Don Presant for his exceptional work in documenting and sharing all the Open Recognition sessions:

🔹 Pre-Conference Webinar — How can we open up the recognition of lifewide learning? (Download presentation with Notes) by Don Presant

🔹 Pre-Conference Workshop — Open Recognition Unconference, led by a dynamic Open Recognition POSSE.

🔹 Table Talk: Badges in your community TODAY, presented by Nate Otto.

🔹 Table Talk: A business model and technologies that support inclusive microcredential design, facilitated by Justin Mason.

🔹 Table Talk: Badge Regens: Smart Credentials, smarter learners, a fascinating session by Simone Ravaioli.

🔹 Table Talk: Microcredential Developer OER, led by Justin Mason.

🔹 Badgesplaining: Open Recognition is for Everyone, a quick lighting talk by Doug Belshaw and Laura Hilliger.

🔹 Rapid Fire: Let’s badge Normandy: towards a learning territory, presented by Philippe Petitqueux.

🔹 Rapid Fire: Open Recognition for Retention, an insightful talk by Krystal Rawls.

🔹 Long Panel: Expanding Open Recognition through organizations, communities, and regions, featuring Julie Keane, Stella Porto, Krystal Rawls, Don Presant, and Philippe Petitqueux.

🔹 Long Panel: Trust Us: Open Recognition and Micro-credentials as Proof, with Doug Belshaw and Sheryl Grant.

🔹 Post-Conference Workshop: Getting Weird with the Open Recognition Alliance, another exciting Open Recognition POSSE gathering on the last day.

🙏 Thanks again!

cc-by-nd Bryan Mathers

We would be remiss if we didn’t give our sincere thanks to Participate for supporting this work. We are absolutely delighted to be working so closely with such an outstanding organisation. Additionally, a shout-out to KBW/ORE O.G., Noah Geisel, whose tireless effort to include the Open Recognition community at the Badge Summit is not unnoticed.

And thank you to everyone else who joined us in embracing the power of Open Recognition. Together, let’s continue championing a world where every talent, skill, and dream is valued and celebrated, beyond formal qualifications! 🌟🌍 #OpenRecognition #BadgeSummit

*Badging Badge Summit design —Frame with ORE logo cc-by-nd Bryan Mathers, “2023 Badge Summit” design remixed from the original on the registration page.