Student Connect Digital Badges
Open Badges
Open Badges are an online way of recognising skills and achievements, the same way a certificate or medal would. Student Connect Mentoring, NUI Galway have developed a series of 6 Open Badges, each of which recognises the times devoted by the volunteer mentors and the tasks completed throughout the year, demonstrating certain skills and qualities.
The chart below gives an overview of how a mentor earns the various badges, beginning as a Mentor. Following at least one academic year served as a Mentor, stand-out candidates are promoted to an elevated role as a Mentor Leader. Following on from this, a few candidates progress to join the Co-Ordination team of the programme, working closely with the Managing Staff of the Student Connect Mentoring Programme. Some badges have been created to acknowledge great or exemplary service to the programme.
NUI Galway is currently leading a national initiative investigating the use of digital badges in Higher Education. If you are interested in learning more, click here!
Using your Digital Badge
After you have applied for and have been awarded your Student Connect Badge, you will receive an email. Badges will be awarded at the end of the academic year.
There will be a “Get your badge” link. Here you will be able to view your badge and the associated information. The badges are issued through a system called “Open Badge Factory”. You will need to set up an “Open Badge Passport” to claim and display your badge. Click here to go to the Open Badge Passport page.
Your Badges will demonstrate to prospective employers the skills and qualities you demonstrated to Student Connect during your term as a Mentor/Leader/Coordinator. You can display your badges on sites such as Linkedin. Here is a handy guide on how to do so.