Dissertation Defense: Krisha Moeller

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Title: Investigating Employer Perceptions of Digital Badges and Micro-Credentials

Program: Educational Technology EdD

Committee Chair: Norm Friesen

Committee: Norm Friesen, Jesus Trespalacios, Lisa A Giacumo

Abstract: Over the past decade, digital badges and Open Badges have garnered considerable attention within educational contexts, signaling a transformation in how achievements and skills are communicated. An important application of this technology is credentialing, in which learners use digital badges to represent specific skills or accomplishments to third parties, such as postsecondary institutions or employers. Existing research indicates that learner and educator perceptions of employer recognition of digital badges are mixed. Moreover, few studies directly solicit employer perspectives or examine the effectiveness of badges as certifications. Clarifying the value employers attribute to digital badges may address questions about their utility for learners and educators, and inform badge design to align with employer expectations. This qualitative study leverages Straussian or pragmatic grounded theory methodologies to explore employers’ decision-making processes and perspectives when hiring candidates with resumes that include digital badges with emphasis on inquiring into the role that digital badges play in this process. Methods include mock resume reviews and interviews to examine employers' views on the value of digital badges and their impact on hiring decisions, accompanied by meticulous, iterative coding cycles and code matrix analysis.