Digital Badges - Metadata Standards
About UWM Digital Badges
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) uses Parchment Digital Badges to issue verified digital credentials that recognize learner achievement. Digital badges follow Open Badges standards established by 1EdTech and include metadata that allows employers, educational institutions, and other audiences to verify what was earned, who issued it, and when it was awarded.
At UWM, digital badges may only be created and awarded through approved issuers in Parchment Digital Badges.
An issuer is the UWM organization responsible for maintaining and awarding the credential. Issuers may represent a school, college, division, department, center, institute, or administrative unit. Approved issuers are responsible for ensuring that badge information accurately reflects the achievement being recognized.
Badge Metadata
- Skills learners developed
- Competencies learners demonstrated
- Learning outcomes learners achieved
- Requirements learners completed
Metadata Definitions
Name
Parchment Field: Name
What it Means: The official title of the credential being recognized.
Best Practices
Use a title that clearly communicates the achievement.
Examples
✅ Project Management Foundations Microcredential
✅ Supervisory Leadership Certificate
✅ Digital Marketing Fundamentals
Avoid
❌ Certificate Completion
❌ Leadership Badge
❌ Cohort 3 Achievement
A viewer should understand what was earned without additional explanation.
Badge Image
What it Means: The visual representation of the credential.Best Practices
- Use approved branding.
- Follow university or unit brand standards.
- Review the UWM Badge Design Guidelines.
- If a new badge image is needed, consult your unit's marketing representative or the UWM Marketing and Communications (MarComm) team.
Description
What it Means: What the credential represents and why it matters.
Best Practices: Use approved program information as a starting point. Ensure the description clearly explains:
- What the program covers
- Who the program is intended for
- What learners accomplish
- Avoid relying solely on marketing language or course listings.
Earning Criteria
Parchment Field: Earning Criteria
What it Means: What must a learner do to earn the badge? This is one of the most important fields in the badge.
Best Practices: Describe exactly how the badge is earned. Include:- Required courses
- Learning activities
- Completion requirements
- Attendance requirements
- Assessments (if applicable)
Criteria URL
What it Means: Where can someone learn more about the credential?
Requirement: Each badge should include a public webpage that helps viewers understand the credential.
The webpage should include information such as:
- Program overview
- Requirements
- Learning outcomes
- Registration information (when applicable)
Avoid
- Internal SharePoint sites
- Password-protected content
- Temporary webpages
Ask Yourself: If someone viewed this badge on LinkedIn, could they learn more about the credential using this link
Demonstrated Skills
What it Means: The skills, competencies, knowledge, or abilities learners developed or demonstrated by earning the credential.
Best Practices: Include skills that are directly supported by the credential's:
- Learning outcomes
- Assessments
- Completion requirements
- Competencies
- Project Planning
- Data Visualization
- Leadership Communication
- Customer Service
- Process Improvement
- ACTFL Intermediate Mid Speaking Proficiency
Important: Only include skills or competencies that are supported by the learning experience and, when applicable, documented assessment methods.
Tags (Optional)
What it Means: Keywords that help categorize the credential and improve discoverability.
Best Practices: Use broad terms that describe the subject matter, industry, discipline, or professional area associated with the credential.
Examples:
A badge for a Project Management Microcredential might include:
- Project Management
- Leadership
- Business
- Professional Development
- Data Analytics
- Business Intelligence
- Technology
- Data Visualization
- Use Demonstrated Skills to describe what learners can do.
- Use Tags to describe the broader subject areas and topics associated with the credential.
Expiration (Optional)
What it Means: How long the credential remains active before renewal is required.
Consider Expiration For:
- Compliance training
- Safety certifications
- Credentials requiring periodic renewal
- Certificate completion
- Academic achievements
- Most microcredentials
- Professional development programs
Common Metadata Mistakes
Missing Earning Criteria
❌ Complete program requirements.
✅ Complete all required courses and successfully complete the final assessment.
Vague Descriptions
❌ Learners gain leadership skills.
✅ Learners complete a five-course certificate focused on communication, supervision, and team leadership.
Unsupported Competency Claims
❌ Demonstrated leadership competency.
✅ Completed the Supervisory Leadership Certificate.
Do not claim learners demonstrated a competency unless the credential includes assessment or evaluation that supports that claim.
Missing Learning Outcomes or Skills
Missing Criteria URL