I've been dabbling with digital badges in my literacy sessions for the last two weeks. I made up a bunch of interesting badges on Credly such as 'Feedbacker' for asking others for feedback, 'Thesaurus Rex' for upgrading words with a thesaurus, 'Curious George' for asking a great question or wondering about something, 'Plan(et)' for having a full and well thought out plan, as well as one week only badges related to the writing of the week. Students then insert the badges they earn into their ePortfolios.
Here's what I've noticed:
But where does the line end? How long should I keep this up? I'm painfully aware that extrinsic motivation / external awards (as Mr Dan Pink explains) are not particularly helpful in the long run. Am I building a reliance on these badges? Am I only able to get decent writing if there is a reward at the end?
On the other hand - these students are now more regularly displaying characteristics of good writers.
Perhaps these badges are the 'training wheels' needed to build up the routines and habits around the writing process - much like this #28daysofwriting gig. At some stage the training wheels go, but only when they are ready and have built the confidence and expertise needed. Perhaps it is a just a Term 1 thing? At the moment, I'm happy with how things are going, but keeping an eye to the future when we move past badges into more intrinsic motivations for writing.
Here's what I've noticed:
- They are motivating for almost all of my (most especially my) reluctant writers. I've gotten writing this week which was more carefully edited, more thoughtfully constructed, and in which more time was spent on, than what I was getting previously.
- They provide a checklist of things to remember in the writing process. Planning - editing - feedback (both giving and receiving) + holding your ideas lightly and being curious. In the hubub of getting a draft out and delivered, these things can be put to the side. Badges provide a visual prompt and motivation to make sure to do these things independently.
- They provide a talking point and buzz. They are conversation starters with parents and friends and prompts into talking about the writing process.
- They can be reflective prompts. "So you got the planning badge - what happened with the editing? What can we do differently next time to meet the requirements of the badge?"
- They appeal to the hoarders and collectors. Students are watching their badge page fill with badges as they achieve them each week - it's a visual sign they are achieving those particular elements of writing.
But where does the line end? How long should I keep this up? I'm painfully aware that extrinsic motivation / external awards (as Mr Dan Pink explains) are not particularly helpful in the long run. Am I building a reliance on these badges? Am I only able to get decent writing if there is a reward at the end?
On the other hand - these students are now more regularly displaying characteristics of good writers.
Perhaps these badges are the 'training wheels' needed to build up the routines and habits around the writing process - much like this #28daysofwriting gig. At some stage the training wheels go, but only when they are ready and have built the confidence and expertise needed. Perhaps it is a just a Term 1 thing? At the moment, I'm happy with how things are going, but keeping an eye to the future when we move past badges into more intrinsic motivations for writing.
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