UNM Digital Badges
Title- UNM Badges and Canvas Credentials
UNM Academic Technologies has chosen Instructure’s Canvas Credentials as a potential solution for organization wide digital badging. Currently being evaluated as a proof-of-concept, participation is limited to a closed group due to licensing constraints. UNM’s proof-of-concept period for Canvas Credentials is July 1, 2025 – December 1, 2025.
What is a digital badge?
Digital badges at UNM are visual, digital credentials or identifiers, often in the form of a small graphic, that validates an individual's achievement, skill, or competency. Digital badges offer several benefits including:
Improved outcomes
Digital badges and micro-credentials can accelerate organizational and learner goals as a solution that will:
- Validates competencies, skills, and showcases workforce readiness
- Drives engagement through reward-based learning
- Improve completion by tracking learning milestones
Shared & Recognized Achievements
- Motivate learners with achievements that are easy to recognize and share
- UNM approved badges help envision and provide evidence of growth
- Confidence through data privacy, security, and ownership
Additional information (Expandable dropdown)
(Pictured, dropdown example)
Who can be awarded a digital badge?
UNM Faculty, Students, and Staff with NetID’s can earn and be awarded digital badges.
What are Canvas Credentials Pathways?
Canvas Credentials Pathways provide the ability for badge program administrators to map out badged curriculum in a format that is easy-to-follow for learners. Admins can track group and individual progress on the pathway and award milestone badges automatically. Learners can track their own progress and look ahead to plan the next steps in their learning journey. Additional information can be found here.
How can I manage my Canvas Credentials Account and Badges?
You may find information on how to manage your Badges and Account here.
Support and Troubleshooting
All vendor provided documentation is provided here.
For additional support with Canvas Credentials please file a help ticket at help.unm.edu or call 505-277-2525.
You may also request assistance by sending an email to support@badgr.com.
Answers for issuers- (Expandable dropdown)
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How do I become an issuer in Canvas Credentials?
Participation is currently limited to closed group of initial users. If the proof-of-concept is approved for continuation, further information for departments to designate issuers will be provided. Issuers are pre-identified by a department’s leadership such as a dean, chair, or director.
What is the difference between digital badges and micro-credentials?
Micro-credentials are forms of digital evidence that third parties use to certify the acquisition of a skill or set of skills. Digital badges are visual images that act as vehicles for transmitting that information.
How do I get a UNM approved badge for my program?
Only University Communications and Marketing (UCAM) can issue, design, or approve badges that adhere to UNM’s brand and style guidelines. For information on how to set-up a consultation with UCAM please visit their website. Additional funding for badges is unavailable at this time, but pre-approved template designs are available for use by issuers.
Do I have to use Canvas for my digital badging program?
If you are using Canvas Credentials for digital badge issuing and pathway design, then it is recommended that your course, associated materials, and evidence of award be stored in Canvas.
Can I issue badges as part of my degree seeking program?
Micro-credentials and badges cannot be used as evidence for completion of or as milestones for a degree seeking program. Badges and Micro-credentials act as evidence of learning either as stand-alone badges or as part of a pathway, but cannot be used as an alternative for GPA, student evaluation, or as a requirement for coursework.
Is there a cost for using Canvas Credentials?
A cost may be associated with Badge Design through UCAM. Using Canvas Credentials as an issuer is at no charge to departments participating in the proof-of-concept. For information regarding UCAM badge design costs please visit their website and seek consultation from them.
Answers for learners (Expandable Dropdown)
How do I get a digital badge?
Digital badges are awarded to learners who participate in badge-eligible programs. Departments designate their own issuers who are responsible for assigning badges once a learner has completed all necessary pre-requisites.
What types of badges does UNM Offer?
UNM Badges include….
What does it cost to earn a digital badge?
Cost may vary from program to program.
How do I enroll in a badge awarded program?
To enroll in a badge awarding program you may use Canvas Credentials [Canvas Credentials access information here]
How can I provide my badge to a third party? Such as an employer?
In Canvas Credentials, you can share individual badges using links, social media, or HTML embed codes.
How to create and award badges
How to create and awarding badges
Proposal 2: Fast Info for CSS on Proof-of-Concept
Canvas Credentialing, Micro-badging, and UNM Credentials
What is Canvas Credentials?
Canvas Credentials is the application chosen for UNM Academic Technologies Micro-badging and Credentialing solution as part of a proof-of-concept evaluation.
Who can use Canvas Credentials?
During the proof-of-concept phase, only a pre-approved group of departments may issue badges from Canvas Credentials. Currently, learners are only accepted if they are enrolled in a program participating in the proof of concept.
How can I get access?
Currently no new issuers are being added to the system unless identified directly to the application support team by participating departments. Learners can enroll in a badge awarding course through Canvas.
Support
Support can be provided by the Academic Technologies' Media and Collaborative Apps team in Cherwell.
