Using Virtual Badges as Awards for Students is a Clever Idea for a Reward System in Education

Many of today's schools are moving to an Internet focused, wireless environment. Yet, many school districts still reward students the old fashioned way, with printed certificates or notes home. It is time to upgrade schools' reward systems to keep up with student interests and educational technology. In fact, using virtual badges as awards for students would be a great idea for several reasons.

What are virtual badges?
A virtual badge is simply a .jpg, animated .gif, or other image which celebrates some sort of achievement. People are familiar with virtual awards in many online avenues. For example, the Xbox Live system offers "achievements" for meeting certain objectives. The gaming website Pogo.com allows its members to earn virtual badges for winning a set number of times within a week. In addition, blogs and Facebook games now offer various "awards" for participants to post on their web page.

Virtual badges are a fun and original way to reinforce behaviors
Students like compliments, and many are externally motivated. Rather than handing out candy or a certificate, however, why not create and give out a virtual badge like students already receive online for non-school-related activities?

This reward system would require students to have a school website to display their badges. On their page, students could post blog entries, maintain a virtual planner, and submit assignments to their teachers. In addition, they could have an awards section.

Teachers would also have access to the student's school hosted page. A teacher could post an award onto a student's web page for various reasons, including perfect attendance, an 'A' on an exam, or demonstrating good behavior. The student would benefit from these posts, inevitably competing with other students to see who received the most virtual badges. They would also be excited to see what a new badge design might be from month to month.

Virtual Badges Save Schools Money
Rather than buying awards to pin onto varsity jackets, or handing out gift certificates, or printing documents, virtual badges are free. If creating the badges is a concern, it would be possible to engage art or technology class students in creating the badges for the school. Over the years, hundreds of badges would be available for teachers to select.

Modern Concept in Tune with Students
As students grow up with increasing reliance on technology, their world is becoming more virtual every day. Even "the cloud" is virtual in nature. Incorporating a reward system such as virtual badges into the educational environment is a modern concept in tune with students. They can blog, tweet, or post about their awards to their friends, showing them the link to their badge. This would drive more traffic to the school's website, also. The idea is a win-win to both school districts and students.

What do you think about incorporating virtual badges as a reward system in a school? Please comment below.