Innovation Badges FAQ

Innovation Badges are the Albion College brand of digital badges – digital microcredentials that are indicative of an accomplishment or skill.  Digital badges can be displayed, accessed, and verified online.  Our Innovation Badges provide official recognition of a student’s experiential learning, professional development activities, and pursuit of specialized interests. Innovation Badges also provide evidence of knowledge acquisition in units smaller than the traditional degree, or in ways that enhance our credit-bearing offerings.

Every time you are awarded an Innovation Badge, it will be visible on your Credly profile.  Your Credly profile serves as an e-portfolio of service events and reflections, experiential certificates, and Innovation Badges.  Innovation Badges can be accessed anytime using your Credly log-in credentials. 

Credly is a world-renowned platform used to store and issue digital badges. 

Innovation Badges are visual indicators that you accomplished something great – whether you’re a seasoned 3D printer or confident in your political or environmental advocacy skills.  Innovation Badges will be listed on your Credly profile so you can advertise and articulate your skills, competencies, and accomplishments with future employers and graduate schools. 

There are always Innovation Badge offerings at Albion College, no matter the academic year or semester. Feel free to browse our current badge offerings for the Fall 2023 semester.

There are no additional charges for completing an Innovation Badge at Albion College.  All supplies are funded by donor gifts. 

Innovation Badge offerings change each semester. To access a comprehensive list of current badge offerings, check our Credly page. 

Before you apply for Innovation Badge participation, you will be able to view all required components necessary for badge completion.  These requirements, such as workshops, readings, events, videos, trainings, and reflections, will be listed on Credly and Moodle in the badge descriptions. 

If you completed all requirements necessary for badge completion during your time as an enrolled student, you will be eligible to receive your badge (even if you are a recent graduate).  Currently, students who are no longer enrolled or graduated from Albion College cannot continue to pursue or receive badges.  Your badge instructor will ensure you are on track to complete your badge during your time enrolled at Albion College.  If you are unsure of your progress, please contact the instructor listed on Credly and/or Moodle. 

The number of hours it will take you to complete a badge depends on the badge category.  For a list of badge categories and earning criteria, you can visit our website or Credly page.

You will receive an email notification from Credly (admin@credly.com) with instructions for claiming your badge and setting up your account.

Digital badges are one of the fastest growing postsecondary credential programs in the United States, and employers and graduate schools are recognizing this trend.  You can export your Innovation Badges from your Credly profile to be featured on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, email signatures, and more.

Innovation Badges issued by Albion College do not expire.  

Innovation Badges follow the industry standards of IMS Open Badge compliance.  Open Badges are a format for digital badges.  This format ensures your badges are easily verifiable by employers, graduate schools, and internships.  To learn more about this standard, click here.