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Showcase Learning, One Badge at a Time
Earn shareable micro-credentials that highlight academic and professional development
University News | March 28, 2025
Learners engaging at VWU Global Campus—whether current students or members of the wider community—are gaining more than just knowledge. They’re earning micro-credentials that recognize participation in workshops, conferences, and courses. These digital badges provide lasting and transferable value and can be displayed in online portfolios, shared on social media, and included in job or academic applications. 
Each badge is built on the OpenBadges Standard, the world’s leading format for digital badges. This ensures that every badge is verifiable and portable. The data embedded in the badge includes the work completed, where the badge was earned, and the student's status at the time of completion.
Understanding the Types of Micro-Credentials
Students can earn different types of badges based on the activity or event completed:
- Event Badge: Awarded for attending a VWU Global Campus event. These are typically single-day events with no required presentation, assignment, or test.
- Level I Micro-Credential: Earned by completing a multi-day, non-credit workshop. No individual mastery or assessment is required.
- Level II Micro-Credential: Awarded after completing a workshop or credit-bearing course. In this case, skills are assessed multiple times throughout the experience.
- Macro-Credential: Granted automatically once a specific set of micro-credentials has been earned. These represent a broader collection of skills, knowledge, and experience.
The Achievement Studio
With their first badge, students are invited to create an account in the Achievement Studio. This digital space allows them to display earned badges, upload related work samples, and organize their credentials into collections. Students can also highlight other educational experiences and share their profiles with current or potential employers.
Earning and Offering Badges
Students can earn micro-credentials by registering for free workshops through the VWU Global Campus or by enrolling in online courses that include badge opportunities. A full list of available badges and corresponding workshops or courses is available online.
Faculty and workshop facilitators interested in offering a badge can submit a proposal that outlines the course or workshop, the skills being developed, and the assessment methods. The proposal will be reviewed by the Global Campus Continuing Education Committee. Once approved, the badge is created and linked to the course.
At Virginia Wesleyan, micro-credentials offer a flexible, student-centered way to track and showcase learning in all its forms.