NASA's Digital Badges

While researching digital badges in the classroom, I came across a blog that discussed NASA's digital badge program. When I investigated further I found the site! It is called The Starlite Digital Badges Activity and can be found at www.starlitebadges.com. You do need a Mozilla Open Badges account which I talked about in my previous post. It is also a pilot program so not fully interactive. The program was created by Project Whitecard and CET Wheeling Jesuit University. One thing I did not like about it was that it was very slow. They tell you at the beginning to make sure everything is closed but it is still so slow! The instructional objective is: Through an interactive, game-based activity, players will be able to locate sedimentary rocks on a simulated Mars landscape and activate the rover's drill in search of evidence for past life. Honestly, the first time I played, I failed the first mission. Here is my take on the game: 1. It was VERY slow! The rover moved like a turtle and if I were playing for fun, I would have quit by now. 2. I had to complete 3 missions (and that's about all my patience could take) and they sent a badge to my e-mail and to my Mozilla backpack. 3. I think the idea is great but it needs to updates, especially with the engagement of the game.