A couple of weeks ago, the board of OpenSource Science decided to implement OpenBadges in the credential system of the institute. While fulfilling courses and upload source code to their GitHub repositories, our students will be awarded openbadges which automatically will be integrated in to Wallet79. Let us first explain the technologies, and then discuss what OpenBadges bring to the students of OS-SCi.
What
are OpenBadges?
OpenBadges is an
open standard for digital badges that allows individuals to showcase
their skills, knowledge, and achievements online. It's a way to
recognize and verify learning experiences, such as courses taken,
projects completed, or certifications earned. Digital badges can be
issued by anyone, from educational institutions to employers, and are
stored in a user's OpenBadge account. We are not the only institute
which uses OpenBadges, some other institutes are:
-University
of Maryland - uses OpenBadges for its online courses and MOOCs
(Massive Open Online Courses).
-Arizona
State University - has implemented OpenBadges as part of its digital
credentialing system.
-Georgia
Institute of Technology - offers OpenBadge-verified certifications
in fields like computer science, engineering, and business.
You can store OpenBadges on your own harddrive, usb stick or
phone, but why not on a blockchain like Wallet79. So what are the
advantages of using a blockchain like Wallet79 for this?
Advantages
of implementing OpenBadges in blockchain:
- Immutable
records: Blockchain technology ensures that badge issuance and
verification are tamper-proof and transparent.
-Decentralized
control: A decentralized system allows for greater autonomy and
ownership over digital badges, reducing the risk of centralized
authorities controlling access to information.
-Increased
security: The use of blockchain-based OpenBadges can provide an
additional layer of security against badge counterfeiting or
tampering.
By combining the benefits of open standards (OpenBadges) with decentralized technology (blockchain), individuals and organizations can create a more transparent, secure, and verifiable way to recognize and verify learning experiences.
Wallet79
Wallet
79 is an innovative digital wallet that utilizes blockchain
technology to store, manage, and showcase OpenBadges. It's designed
specifically for education and employment purposes.
Here are some
key features of Wallet 79:
-OpenBadge
storage: Wallet 79 allows users to securely store their
OpenBadges in a single location.
-Decentralized
control: Users have full ownership and control over their
digital badges, ensuring that they can manage them independently.
-Verification
and validation: The wallet uses blockchain technology to verify
the authenticity of each badge, providing an immutable record of
achievements.
-Portfolio
building: Wallet 79 enables users to curate a portfolio of their
OpenBadges, showcasing their skills and accomplishments in a
visually appealing way.
-Sharing
and collaboration: Users can share their badges with others,
facilitating collaboration and networking opportunities.
By using Wallet
79, individuals can:
-Showcase
their achievements and skills to potential employers or educational
institutions. -Demonstrate
their expertise and interests to peers and professionals.
-Build a
digital portfolio that highlights their accomplishments and progress
over time.
Wallet 79 is an
exciting development in the world of OpenBadges, as it provides a
secure, decentralized platform for users to manage and showcase their
digital badges
Whats the main advantage for our students?
When
students finish their study at OpenSource Science, they have a filled
GitHub repository, an Institute Certificate and Verifiable
open badges stored in the Wallet79 blockchain. While
other institutes only offer a certificate, we offer verifiable
credentials both as open badges and as a Github repository. Next to
that GitHub can help students finding a job, also OpenBadges will
improve the job finding possibilities by:
-Providing
a standardized way to showcase skills and achievements
online.
-Allowing individuals to demonstrate their expertise and
interests to potential employers.
-Facilitating the recognition
of non-traditional learning experiences, such as online courses or
projects.
As you see that, there are not many institutes, which
pay so much attention to the value of the credentials of their
students. So come over and start your Open Source career at OpenSource Science B.V.