Open Badges were only first launched by Learn with SCMA in April and positive feedback is already coming in with members feeling “over the moon” with their Open Badge achievement.
Open Badges are digital certificates that recognise learning and achievement. An SCMA Accredited Open Badge takes that concept one step further, allowing our childminder members to verify their skills, interests and achievements.
After completing a Learn with SCMA workshop or e-Learning, members must reflect on what they have learned, demonstrate how they put this into practise and submit a reflective statement as evidence to achieve an SCMA Accredited Open Badge.
SCMA childminder from Monifieth, Irene Harle, said:
“I was over the moon receiving my Open Badge! I found using the site very easy to navigate, and the only challenge I had, was keeping my reflective statement short enough.
“I will be working on more badges in the future and I’ve spoken to other childminders about Open Badges. I’ve told them that the work involved isn't as daunting as they might think, and it also makes you reflect on aspects of your childminding business – which can only be a good thing.”
Fellow SCMA member, Jo Grubb from Kirkcaldy who works alongside her husband Anthony, said:
“I forwarded a copy of the Open Badge to our Care Inspectorate Officer who hadn’t heard of them before and was keen to know how we fared.
“Just before they were introduced, I had said we were going to be participating in Open Badges as part of our on-going learning, and we will be doing more in the near future.”
The way we learn is changing, and at SCMA we understand that showing evidence of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) can sometimes be a struggle. SCMA Accredited Open Badges make this easier because they capture your accomplishments, skills, qualities and interests – whilst providing a platform for you to evidence how you put this new knowledge into practice.
As a helping hand, SCMA has also published useful ‘Writing Reflective Statements’ guidance to help you when it comes to preparing evidence for your Open Badge. SCMA members can download and read this guidance from the Learning Library when you
login to the Membership Dashboard.
Find out more about
SCMA Accredited Open Badges