Digital Badging Program Deployed to Improve Student Engagement and Retention
General description of the project
New Jersey City University (NJCU) is an urban, public, Hispanic-serving and minority institution in Jersey City, New Jersey that enrolls about 5,500 undergraduate students, of which about 1,200 are STEM students and 43% Hispanic. NJCU developed the OnPACE Mentoring Program, a component of the federal Title V DHSI grant entitled, “On PACE for STEM Success: Personal, Academic & Career Enhancement at an Urban Public HSI.” The OnPACE for STEM Success grant expands educational opportunities for Hispanic and low-income STEM students and improve their academic and postgraduate outcomes.
The OnPACE Mentoring program is a year-long program with frequent interaction among members of mentee cohorts. The OnPACE Mentoring program model provides students with faculty-based coaching and “soft skills” development, including role modeling, career exploration, financial and financial aid literacy, study skills, and events led by practicing professionals. To improve student participation within the OnPACE Mentoring Program a digital badging program was implemented.
The digital badging program was a cost-effective and innovative practice to improve student engagement and retention. Partnering with the Center for Leadership and Engagement we were able to utilize their digital badging platform subscription at no additional cost. Students were able to earn digital badges which showcased their skills and knowledge in research, career and/or academic preparedness making them marketable to future employers. Thirty-seven students and counting have already earned digital badges through this opportunity.
Technologies
Digital badging is a popular form of gamification. Digital badges are symbols or markers of an accomplishment, skill, quality, or interest that can be displayed on social and professional networking sites. In a digital badge, metadata is embedded; this provides information about the issuing institution’s name, the date issued, and the criteria for earning the badge. Digital badges are an effective way for students to document informal learning accomplishments received outside of credit programs in a more flexible way than traditional methods such as paper certificates and transcripts. Students were motivated to participate when participating in and attending various internships, conferences, events, and workshops served as a mechanism to document their skills and knowledge in a particular area
Explain project results
The DHSI Title V grant team implemented the digital badging system to increase STEM student engagement and motivation to attend workshops and events focused on personal, academic, and career enhancement within the OnPACE Mentoring Program but not limited to all STEM students on campus. The project results support that using digital badges, a form of gamification, benefited and challenged the students, positively impacted their motivation, and increased their participation and engagement within the OnPACE Mentoring Program. Students indicated that the possibility of earning digital badges brought them closer to their peers and faculty mentors through shared experiences, and created various opportunities as well as a community where they can receive and provide support and guidance. Using digital badges allowed students to increase their skills and knowledge, which will equip them to succeed academically and prepare them to enter the STEM workforce.
Why it should be considered best practice?
This project should be considered a “best practice” and be replicated by others because it is an innovative technology that encourages learning, promotes recognition and engagement, and motivates student success and postgraduate planning. Preparing students to enter the workforce is not an easy task and this is a great way to help students set personal academic and career goals while tying badges to promote academic and career progression. Students can identify the skills that keep them effective and knowledgeable employees in their future roles while possibly providing them with the potential to earn higher salaries in their future roles.
Highlights of your proposed presentation
Research which was conducted on the motivational impact of the digital badging program. Motivational impact of the program and nine themes which were identified (accomplishment, beneficial, challenges, career goals, community, emerging concept, motivation, opportunity, and personal growth) and will be highlighted within the presentation. As well as recommendations for improvement and implementation of the digital badging program will be shared.
The Evaluation Committee will evaluate submitted proposals based on the following criteria. Each area will be rated on a scale from 1 to 7 (1= non-satisfactory; 7 =outstanding), for a maximum of 63 points.