On October 17-18, 2024, Georgia Technological University hosted the IEEE DEMOCON 2024 event, where the work titled “Exploring Recognition in Digital Education Through Open Badges and the European Learning Model” was presented by Dr. Carlos Delgado Kloos from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. This work, a collaboration with authors Rebiha Kemcha and Carlos Alario-Hoyos, also from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, was published in the conference proceedings and represents a significant visibility achievement for the ECOCredGT project.
The paper highlights the importance of recognition in education as a key mechanism for validating and acknowledging academic and professional achievements, whether in formal or informal settings. Given the variety of available recognition models, the work emphasizes the need for educational institutions to establish clear recognition strategies, preferably using widely recognized formats. Among the most commonly used models today are Open Badges (versions 2.0 and 3.0) and the European Learning Model version 3 (ELMv3), both aligned with the W3C Verifiable Credentials data model (VC).
Through a cross-curricular program for undergraduate students, the study provides an in-depth analysis and comparison of these models. The findings reveal that while Open Badges 3.0 offers greater flexibility, ELMv3 provides a more detailed structure suited to the European educational context. These insights offer educational institutions valuable guidance in selecting the most appropriate recognition strategy tailored to their needs and objectives.
The presentation of this work at IEEE DEMOCON 2024 underscores ECOCredGT’s commitment to advancing the recognition of skills and achievements in digital education, contributing to the development of digital credentialing systems that support lifelong learning and student employability.
