Do More Micro-credentials Equal Better Grades? A Study of Information Literacy Digital Badges and Student Course Grades

This study investigates the impact of information literacy digital badges on student course grades. Despite the growing popularity of digital badges in higher education, empirical evidence regarding their effect on academic performance remains limited. This research aims to fill that gap by analyzing the relationship between badge earning and student success, addressing the overarching question: What is the impact of badge earning on student course grades? The study utilizes data from over 900 students who participated in the digital badge program, which offered information literacy badges as co-curricular activities. The data analysis examined correlations between the number of badges earned and student grades, as well as differences based on gender and class standing. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between earning at least one digital badge and higher course grades. The study’s findings support the potential of digital badges as a meaningful tool for enhancing student learning and success.

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Work Title Do More Micro-credentials Equal Better Grades? A Study of Information Literacy Digital Badges and Student Course Grades
Access
Open Access
Creators
  1. Emily L. Rimland
  2. Anne C. Behler
  3. Wendy Pothier
Keyword
  1. Information literacy
  2. Digital badges
  3. Microcredentials
  4. University Students
  5. Grades
  6. Higher Education
License CC BY 4.0 (Attribution)
Work Type Article
Publisher
  1. Pennsylvania Libraries Research & Practice
Publication Date May 13, 2025
Publisher Identifier (DOI)
  1. https://doi.org/10.5195/palrap.2025.306
Deposited May 13, 2025

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Version 1
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  • Created
  • Updated
  • Updated Description, Publication Date Show Changes
    Description
    • This study investigates the impact of information literacy digital badges on student course grades. Despite the growing popularity of digital badges in higher education, empirical evidence regarding their effect on academic performance remains limited. This research aims to fill that gap by analyzing the relationship between badge earning and student success, addressing the overarching question: What is the impact of badge earning on student course grades? The study utilizes data from over 900 students who participated in the digital badge program, which offered information literacy badges as co-curricular activities. The data analysis examined correlations between the number of badges earned and student grades, as well as differences based on gender and class standing. The findings indicate a significant positive correlation between earning at least one digital badge and higher course grades. The study’s findings support the potential of digital badges as a meaningful tool for enhancing student learning and success.
    Publication Date
    • 2025-05-13
  • Added Creator ANNE BEHLER
  • Added Creator Emily Rimland
  • Added Creator Wendy G. Pothier
  • Added layout+Digital+Badge+Article+PALRAP+Resubmission+3.17.25+(2).pdf
  • Deleted layout+Digital+Badge+Article+PALRAP+Resubmission+3.17.25+(2).pdf
  • Added RimlandBehlerPothierPaLRAP.pdf
  • Updated License Show Changes
    License
    • https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
  • Published
  • Updated
  • Updated Keyword, Publisher, Publisher Identifier (DOI) Show Changes
    Keyword
    • Information literacy, Digital badges, Microcredentials, University Students, Grades, Higher Education
    Publisher
    • Pennsylvania Libraries Research & Practice
    Publisher Identifier (DOI)
    • https://doi.org/10.5195/palrap.2025.306
  • Renamed Creator Anne C. Behler Show Changes
    • ANNE BEHLER
    • Anne C. Behler
  • Renamed Creator Emily L. Rimland Show Changes
    • Emily Rimland
    • Emily L. Rimland
  • Renamed Creator Wendy Pothier Show Changes
    • Wendy G. Pothier
    • Wendy Pothier