Engaging Learners with Challenges and Badges: Designing and Evaluating a Microlearning System

Abstract

This study presents a design case situated in a graduate-level asynchronous online course. In this case, a system of microlearning challenges and digital badges was designed to encourage students to engage in conceptual and technological learning tasks. In addition to microlearning challenges, students could also earn badges for high levels of course participation or as an acknowledgment of other positive course behaviors. Student engagement in challenges and badges was used to evaluate the activity. Findings show that most students were motivated to participate in the optional activity at some level, and badges associated with individual challenge activities were most popular. Tasks and issues related to the design and development of the system are discussed along with ideas for future refinement.