ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces Designing Effective Digital Badges by explaining why the study of digital badges is timely. The authors argue that they are important to understand and consider when thinking about how best to educate and train contemporary learners; learning that is happening in an environment filled with unprecedented opportunities, but also significant challenges. Coverage of digital badging technologies is reviewed in both research and mass media contexts and then the chapter explains why these objects have seen so much attention in the news and media. Common definitions for digital badging are discussed and differentiated from their analog ancestors.
