The first pilot was conducted with 27 second-year student teachers enrolled in the lifelong learning programme “Future Teachers of Vocational Educational Subjects”. In winter semester 2024/25, a “Value Awareness Supporter” micro-badge became one of the key components of the subject Environmental Education.
There, students were introduced to:
- practical applications of environmental education goals
- theoretical knowledge in sustainability and its educational implications
- methods for fostering critical thinking and value reflection among students
This alignment allowed participants to build on their existing knowledge while exploring innovative strategies for integrating sustainability into their teaching.
Students completing the “Value Awareness Supporter” micro-badge were expected to:
- integrate sustainability values into teaching: develop activities promoting empathy, reflection, and responsibility
- reflect on personal values: understand how their values shape teaching practices and interactions
- design innovative educational strategies: encourage learners to explore their values and act on environmental issues
- foster collective responsibility: use community-focused projects to promote sustainability awareness
As a result, 12 out of the 27 participants successfully earned the “Value Awareness Supporter“ micro-badge.
The milestone badge “Reflexive Praxis“, along with the micro-badge “Conscious Change Agent“, was introduced into the undergraduate BSc programme “Pedagogy for Practical Training“ (UPV1) during the spring semester 2023/24. It was incorporated into the existing subject “School Pedagogy“.
A hybrid format of face-to-face training and asynchronous online learning using LMS Moodle and Open Badge Factory was used to prepare for the badge defence.
The intention for choosing the “Conscious Change Agent” badge was to develop students’ reflexive and critical thinking abilities, important skills to master during their studies and future professional careers. A total of 62 first-year student teachers were enrolled in the course, 58 of them managed to earn their first “Reflexive Praxis” badge.