Selling courses or training: two tools, two needs
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Read the articleA project management trainer decides to give a badge to everyone enrolled, including people who never opened the second module. Everyone posts it. A recruiter clicks on one and finds only a pretty picture, with no criterion and no date. The badge has served neither the learner nor the course.
What exactly is a digital badge?
The most widespread standard is called Open Badges. It is maintained by 1EdTech, a non-profit association in the digital education world. A badge consists of two things: an image (in PNG or SVG format) and structured information stored behind it.
| Badge element | What it says | Example |
|---|---|---|
| The recipient | Who earned it | Priya Shah |
| The issuer | Who awards it | Your organisation |
| The criterion | What had to be achieved | Final quiz at 70% or more, plus one assignment submitted |
| The evidence | What shows the achievement | The marked assignment, the completed rubric |
Evidence is optional in the standard: a badge can contain it, but is not forced to. It is up to you to make it a habit.
When does a badge have value?
When it can be refused. That is our opinion, and it is simple: a badge that everyone receives says nothing. It works like a participation medal, pleasant on the day and silent afterwards.
Conversely, a badge tied to an observable result says something useful to the person reading it. There is one nuance, though: a badge issued by your organisation carries only the weight of your organisation. It replaces neither a degree nor a certification recognised by the state. Do not present it as such, to your learners or to your funders.
How to write a criterion that can be verified
A good criterion answers the question "what did this person actually do?". Compare.
- Too vague: "Took the public speaking course."
- Verifiable: "Passed all five quizzes with 70% or more and submitted a presentation video marked against a three-criterion rubric."
The first criterion talks about time spent. The second talks about what the person can do. It is the same principle as for a well-built online course: you start from what the learner will be able to do, and the badge recognises it.
Plan the evidence before you issue
Evidence is what makes a badge stand up to curiosity. In the platform, quizzes, assignments and marked case studies already leave a trace: a score, a submission, a date. Your badge relies on that trace.
Three simple habits:
- One badge per result that matters, not one per module. Ten badges blur together, three are remembered.
- A date and an issuer name always visible.
- An award rule that is the same for everyone, written down and kept.
To build checks that are worth something, see our article on quizzes that make people learn and the one on assignments and case studies. On the motivation side, gamification has its own rules: a leaderboard or a streak of days entertains, whereas a LinkedIn badge puts your reputation on the line.
Sharing on LinkedIn without a false note
LinkedIn has a section for licences and certifications. According to its official help, the person enters the name, the issuing organisation, the date, an ID and the address for verification themselves. Nothing is filled in for them.
This has a practical consequence: prepare this information in advance. Give your learners a three-line sheet with the exact badge name, the name of your organisation as it appears on LinkedIn, and the verification link. A learner who has to guess will fill it in badly, and a badly described badge is hard to verify.
Last point: sharing should remain a choice. Some learners prefer not to post anything, and that is their right.
Frequently asked questions
Does a badge replace a degree?
No. It certifies a specific achievement, awarded by a specific issuer. Its reach depends on the reputation of that issuer and the clarity of the criterion.
Do I need a badge for every module?
We think not. Keep them for the results that matter: a demonstrated skill, a completed path, a passed final assessment.
Do my learners need a LinkedIn account?
No. The badge exists independently of LinkedIn, which is just one sharing channel among others. Those without an account keep their badge and its verification link.
Who can verify a badge?
Anyone who receives the link or opens the associated page. That is precisely the point of the standard: the issuer, the criterion and sometimes the evidence remain open to consultation.
In summary
A badge is worth what its criterion and its evidence are worth. Write the criterion as one verifiable sentence, base it on a real result, and prepare a sheet for sharing on LinkedIn. Your next step: choose a single result in your path that deserves a badge, and write its criterion today.
Sources
- 1EdTech: Open Badges standard, official description, accessed 13 October 2026.
- LinkedIn: Add to profile feature, frequently asked questions, accessed 13 October 2026.
The Kognisia team
Kognisia designs a SaaS learning platform, with a training catalogue and white label as options.
Kognisia designs a SaaS learning platform, with a training catalogue and white label as options.