2025 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

A Standardized Methodology for Evaluating a Digital Badging System

Presented at Military and Veterans Division (MVD) 1 - Access and Integration

Academic institutions and military organizations have expressed varying interest in digital credentials as a means of recognizing achievement and competency. However, few studies formally evaluate the benefits and costs associated with this technology. Currently, no standardized process exists for assessing the potential of digital badging within an organization. This research outlines a novel methodology, based upon a systematic review of the literature, to evaluate the value proposition of a digital badging system aimed at improving talent management outcomes within the military. This methodology describes a repeatable process for comparing a system against other methods of recording skills and competencies. It describes the design of a prototype digital badging system with military-specific requirements to compare against current talent management practices and an industry-standard credentialing system. Potential use cases are proposed for digital badging in a military context, especially in their connection to aligning Defense Cyber Workforce Framework roles to cyber competencies, as an example for how the technology can be used. The methodology includes steps to assess the acceptability, usability, and perceived value of a digital badging system in the military. Additionally, this methodology helps identify key design elements that contribute to the effectiveness and adoption of such a system, providing insights for future development and implementation within the military. This approach supports efforts to enhance force development, formal and informal learning, and the ability of service members and veterans to represent their skills within the military and in civilian careers.

Authors

Lt. Benjamin Pederson Air Force Institute of Technology [biography]

Benjamin Pederson is a Cyber Officer in the United States Space Force. He received a M.S. in Cyber Operations from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 2025, and a B.S. in Computer Science from the United States Air Force Academy in 2023.
Dr. Mark Reith Air Force Institute of Technology [biography]

Mark G. Reith is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). He received a B.S. degree in Computer Science from the University of Portland, Portland, OR, USA, in 1999, a M.S. degree in Computer Science from the AFIT, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH, USA, in 2003, and a Ph.D. degree in Computer Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, USA, in 2009.
Dr. David Long Air Force Institute of Technology [biography]

David S. Long is an Assistant Professor of Systems Engineering at the Air Force Institute of Technology and a Principal Systems Engineer at KBR. He previously served 25 years in the US Air Force in a variety of positions. His BS Industrial Engineering and Management (North Dakota State University), MS Engineering (California State University, Northridge), and PhD Engineering Systems (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Ralucca A. Gera Naval Postgraduate School [biography]

Ralucca Gera is a Professor of Mathematics and the Chair of Applied Mathematics Department at the Naval Postgraduate School. She is a Distinguished graduate of Western Michigan University, MI, USA, where she earned her B.S., M.A. and Ph.D. in Mathematics in 2000, 2002, and 2005 respectively.
Edward D White Air Force Institute of Technology [biography]

Edward D. White is a Professor of Statistics in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at AFIT. He received his BS in Mathematics from the University of Tampa, MAS from The Ohio State University, and PhD in Statistics from Texas A&M University. His primary research interests include statistical modeling, simulation, and data analytics. E-mail address: edward.white@us.af.mil
Jonathan Zemmer Air Force Institute of Technology [biography]

Jonathan Zemmer is the Educational Technology Liaison at the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT). He received a B.A. in Multimedia Technology from Cedarville University, an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Cincinnati, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Studies from Wright State University in 2024. His research interests lie in the learning sciences, with a focus on the Social Theory of Learning and educational technology in graduate and military education contexts.

Note

The full paper will be available to logged in and registered conference attendees once the conference starts on June 22, 2025, and to all visitors after the conference ends on June 25, 2025

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