Spotlight on Digital Media And Learning

11.17.11 | HASTAC today announced a new Teacher Mastery and Feedback Badge Competition that explores the potential of digital badges for and by teachers.

Held in conjunction with the HASTAC/MacArthur Foundation Badges for Lifelong Learning Competition (read more about it here), this competition segment encourages applicants to propose badge systems that “allow teachers to track and promote feedback regarding their acquisition of new competencies and skills.” 

Applications are now being accepted for stage one of competition; the deadline is Dec. 5 at 8 p.m. EST. Prizes will be awarded ranging from $10,000 to $200,000.

Here are the details:

Competitive submissions proposing badge systems that track and promote feedback regarding the competencies and skills as well as the programs and subjects over which teachers acquire expertise will be a central part of the Stage 1 and Stage 2 processes of the Competition. The winning proposal(s) will be awarded funding to develop the proposed badging system.

Stage One: Teacher Mastery and Feedback Badge Competition
Now accepting applications.
Deadline: December 5, 2011 at 5pm PST/8pm EST
Application requirements: 1,000 word written proposal and optional supplementary materials.

For Stage One, educators applying to the Competition submit proposals describing subject and content matter for a teacher badge system that recognizes, rewards and offers peer feedback to teachers regarding mastery of capacities and skills. Submissions require a 1,000 word written proposal and can include optional supplementary materials that help visualize the proposed badging system. These materials should include systems for recognizing and rewarding some of the capacities, skills, and content they believe are needed to effectively teach math, literacy, or digital literacy skills and/or to effectively teach to the Common Core State Standards. For example, giving feedback to students; developing complex skills; or skills needed to teach in an environment that privileges digital or online learning.

Stage Two: Teacher Mastery and Feedback Badge Competition
Stage Two opens on December 12, 2011.
Deadline: January 12, 2012, 5pm PST/8pm EST
Application requirements: 1,500 word written proposal plus visual materials that graphically represent the badge design submission.

In Stage Two, applicants will be encouraged to submit proposals that map out what a teacher mastery and feedback badging system would look like, how it would operate, what benefits and challenges it would present, and the design and implementation process it would incorporate. The proposed badging systems should be based on, and fully interoperable with, Mozilla’s Open Badge Infrastructure.

Stage Three: Match-making and Finals
Stage Three Meeting: February 28-29, 2012
No application needed—finalists from Stages One and Two will be selected to advance. Stage Three pairs Stage Two finalists with Stage One finalists and/or collaborators, to form comprehensive teams who will work together to finalize collaborative badge proposals.

Plus: Here’s a handy list of ways to stay connected with the Digital Media and Learning Competition:
Web: www.dmlcompetition.net
Winners’ Hub: http://hastac.org/competitions

Badges Group: http://hastac.org/groups/badges-lifelong-learning
Scoop.it: http://www.scoop.it/t/badges-for-lifelong-learning
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/dmlComp

Hashtags: #dmlbadges and #openbadges
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DMLcomp

Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103047964663117398536/posts
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Digital-Media-Learning-Competition-3935137