Martec launched its digital badge program at the end of March 2023. Badges are issued to learners after they have passed the mastery test for a class (70% pass mark) and completed an end of class survey.
Learners study a class and take a mastery test at the end. The pass mark for all tests is 70%.
Taking the test is not compulsory, but if the learner does not take it and graduate, a badge is not issued. The same is true if they do not complete the end of class survey (because Martec uses the survey data to plan product upgrades). Learners studying on Martec’s LMS have ready access to the survey system to complete the survey. Learners working for a corporate licensee running our programs on their LMS will be able to particpate in the same way, if the corporate licencee enables access to the survey. Alternatively, we can agree a separate arrangement to take a periodic data file from a corporate licensee with the relevant details. The data we need is very limited.
We extract the data from the survey system and upload it to our CRM system to support the survey reports and other management information we provide to corporate clients. We transfer the relevant data to the badge processing provider, who issues the badges. We then receive data back that gives us information on how many learners did something with the badge and we incorporate this into our client reporting.
Badges are awarded for passing individual classes. Most classes belong to suites and many learners study an entire suite. This is especially so for graduate intakes and those who need in depth knowledge of a subject. When all the classes in a suite are completed successfully, a higher status badge is issued automatically.
Individual classes also belong to role-based learning paths, which may also include studying content from our Retail and Consumer Goods Industry WIKI. A badge is issued as each module in a learning path is graduated. Once all modules have been completed and passed, the respective learning path badges will be issued. These are the most important badges to many companies and employees as they confirm the key competencies in a complete job role.
We monitor progress through suites and learning paths and generate emails to learners to encourage learners to study outstanding modules as appropriate.
Badges are digital and can be posted on LinkedIn profiles, in LinkedIn posts, on Facebook pages and in Twitter feeds, and also in email signature panels, thereby showcasing the skills the learner achieved. Anyone clicking on a digital badge will see a display of information known as metadata similar to these sample badge credentials.
Martec issues credits for classes completed successfully. The credits earned can be reviewed in staff appraisals and targets set for the next year to encourage employees to keep up their skill development.
Badges issued for classes earning NASBA credits (see the NASBA page) have the number of credits determined by a NASBA wordcount model which reflects the amount of content and the number of practice and mastery test questions answered.
Martec issues its own credits for its non-NASBA classes and has adopted a policy of calculating the credits a module earns using the NASBA model. This way, classes completed which later become NASBA certified, can be awarded NASBA credits with no change in values.
The program provides benefits to both employers and learners.
The benefits to learners are:
The Martec digital badges program also provides significant benefits to the employer: