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Digital badges are being adopted widely in educational settings as an alternative assessment model, but research on their impact on motivation is scarce. The present study examined college undergraduates (n = 53) enrolled in first-year writing courses, where badges represented essential course outcomes. Participants were categorized as either high or low expectancy-values, and intrinsic motivation to earn badges was measured repeatedly during the 16-week semester. Participants' attitudes toward digital badges also were investigated. Findings reinforced previous research that digital badges function differently according to the type of learner. Results indicated a generally positive view of badges in English courses, though levels of intrinsic motivation to earn the badges increased for high expectancy-value learners only. It is suggested that incorporating digital badges as an assessment model benefits learners who have high expectations for learning and place value on learning tasks, but badges also could disenfranchise students with low expectancyvalues. Digital badges are viable as assessment tools but heavily dependent upon individual learner types.

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Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide an argument why digital badges in higher education should be used as an assessment tool and not only as a credentialing mechanism. Design/methodology/approach – This paper unpacks the use of digital badges in videogames and explains how it aligns with quality assessment practices. Several research studies are provided as examples of this alignment. Findings – Because different people have different reactions to different badges, some people will likely be best served by badges that are designed to be assessments. Originality/value – The meta-analysis in this paper helps to shift current thinking on the use of digital badges in higher education away from a framework that only considers badges as credentials. Digital badges that are designed as assessments can be educative for learners who would otherwise not benefit from its use.

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