One of the articles I read for this week was Randall and West's 'Who Cares about Open Badges? An examination of Principal's Perceptions of the Usefulness of Teacher Open Badges in the United States.' Essentially, the study described in this article sought to discover principal's (or another personnel agent) attitudes regarding badges when making hiring decisions. A mixed-methods study, the qualitative portion was highly illuminating and revealed a diversity of opinion about their perceptions of the merit of including badges on resumes. Some felt they would be very helpful, at least in allowing them to identify applicants that have attained certain skills. Others felt that the hiring process is arduous enough and adding another layer would simply slow down the process for those under a time-crunch to make informed hiring decisions. For example, one participant articulated their view by stating "why are we making it more difficult for candidates (teachers) when there aren't enough candidates to begin with" Randall & West, 2020, p. 13). 

Conversely, some participants felt that the badges were extremely useful in understanding skills that may not be apparent on a resume. Most agreed that badges were an advantage, but would not be a make-or-break factor. Four-year degrees and in-person interviews were cited by many as still the most important part of the selection process. Nevertheless, some stated (after having learned about badges) that possessing certain skills designated by badges would enhance the candidates' chance of being hired. In conclusion, the authors noted that badges are not inherently useful to candidates and that much depends on the type of skill it represents and the credibility of the issuing institution. Ultimately, badges can have a positive effect on the chances of getting hired, but job seekers would be wise to understand which badges are most valued by prospective employers.

What do you think? Will badges become a necessary credential to obtain in the future?