This research examines effects of Digital Badges on student motivation in an online, credit-bearing program designed to boost quantitative skills. In addition to exploring general effects of badging, this research will examine factors within the badging experience, including motivating emails and differing information on available badges and awarding criteria.
Enhancing student motivation in an online or blended course is a major challenge for many instructors. The online environment is often novel or uncharted territory for both the students and the instructor, leading to challenges usually not encountered in the traditional classroom. Digital Badges are a potential tool for increasing student motivation in this setting, providing feedback and encouragement passively for students that meet or exceed expectations. This study,, happening from mid-July 2017 through late August 2017, will examine the effects of Digital Badges on student motivation in an online, credit-bearing program designed to boost the quantitative skills of incoming first-year students. It will also examine different variables that may affect the Digital Badge experience. Some subjects will receive a full list of the available badges. Other subjects will receive a weekly email digest detailing their badges earned. Student performance will be compared among the groups, and qualitative data will be collected via interviews and surveys after the program has ended. This data will be analyzed and used to direct future iterations of this program, as well as any other future online or blended classes at this institution. In addition, the student responses will help determine where Digital Badges are most effective and allow for better uses in future courses.