In Canvas Credentials, issuers can be an organization, department, or individual responsible for issuing badges. Establishing clear criteria for issuers is a foundational step for the success of any credentialing program.
Personal vs. Organizational Issuers
Institutions need to determine the level of control they desire over issued badges. Canvas Credentials allow organizations to have multiple issuers. Suppose an institution permits individual faculty members to issue badges through their courses. In that case, it grants them autonomy over the criteria and design of the badges; however, administrators won't have access to analytics or the option to revoke badges.
Institutions may opt to define issuers at the organizational level for greater control over badge criteria, design, and analytics access. This decision can involve having issuers at the institution-wide level or for each department or college. The key is deciding if credentials for specific skills, programs, or certifications should be grouped together for more granular management.
Use case examples:
- A degree completion credential is typically issued by the institution (university/college) rather than individual departments, emphasizing the university as the issuer.
- The issuer will be defined at that specific level if a credential is for a specialty area. A non-credit opportunity or a specialized certification provided by a particular school or department will be issued by that team.
Badge Design
Standardizing badge design is essential because it creates consistency and aligns with branding standards. This helps develop a cohesive and professional image, enhancing the credibility of the credentials. Institutions can opt for one design or choose to have a variety of designs that vary by the issuer. If designs vary by issuer, it is important to create a visual hierarchy. A well-thought-out visual hierarchy helps convey the importance of the information on the badge. For example, the most critical elements (such as the name of the credential or the issuing body) should be the most prominent. Institutions can guide this by providing a stylesheet that offers a framework to issuers on the badges' design, providing consistency across the organization. This stylesheet can include elements such as logo usage and placement, color palette, iconography, and a structure of the content layout.
Learners can share their achievements on social networking sites as they earn badges. The cohesive design of these badges is essential as it serves as a marketing tool to attract prospective students.
Reporting & Analytics
Canvas Credentials offers robust analytics capabilities. This feature allows institutions to add individuals as admins to specific issuers. Analytics can be viewed for the overall organization or each issuer. By examining this data, organizations, and issuers can gain insight into the trends and demand for their current offerings. This analysis allows programs to make informed decisions on adjusting offerings. It helps identify trends in badge awards, understand what skills learners seek, and provide insight into how badges are shared externally.
For more information on the data available, review our blog post on reporting and analytics.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on badge design. What have you taken into consideration while making these decisions? What are you still unsure about? Leave a comment below!
