Welcome!

Update: The Penn State Badgesapp platform has been decommissioned as of 3/31/23. There is no replacement system at this time. We are looking into new opportunities at this time. If you have questions about the platform or badges previously earned on the platform in the past, please contact: badgesapptransitionteam@PennStateOffice365.onmicrosoft.com

This site supports the Penn State University Library information literacy digital badging initiative, designed to help showcase, recognize and inspire information literacy skills. This site reflects all of the components of the information literacy digital badges and the outcomes of the design process.

Information literacy digital badges (also known as micro-certification) offer students personalized and flexible activities to build the competencies underlying the information literacy framework. Our program of digital badges includes 10 information literacy badges grouped into three ‘meta-badges’ (also called missions) and one master or “Uber” badge after students have completed all of the other badges.

Our digital badges were created in order to address the information literacy skills that today’s college graduates need in order to successfully enter the workplace. The badges draw upon the ALA’s Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education, the Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education, a national survey conducted with employers about their perceptions (see our article for more information: http://crl.acrl.org/content/early/2015/05/11/crl15-712.full.pdf+htm)  and other learning theories such as connectivism.

Our badges are intended for undergraduates and can be used in a variety of ways. Once a student submits evidence for a badge step, that evidence is viewed and vetted by a librarian or instructor who has access rights to evaluate it. The student receives personalized feedback on their work and once all steps are completed satisfactorily, earns the badge.