I've been hovering on the periphery of this discussion as I tend to do.
Thank you Peter, for laying out for us your knowledge of badges and their current use in education. Enjoying your blog as well - http://criticaltechnology.blogspot.ca/
The mozilla badges are a bit cumbersome for wide adoption. Something along the lines of the recent linkedin peer endorsements might be a more practical way forward. Endorsing someone is easy, and as long as the system is not abused, helpful.
Badges, certificates and medals are fine in moderation. If they are helpful in your situation - great. A little validation can do wonders --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=CA&v=Cbk980jV7Ao
Bron Stukey's project referencing the Hero's Journey got me thinking. I recall Joseph Campbell speaking somewhere about how we should endeavor to stand in our own truth and not justify ourselves or seek approval. Ironically I didn't find this particular quote on google - think it was in the Bill Moyers interview. I did find some other seniments of his and overall, they didn't give the impression of him being a badge kinda guy.
“If you can see your path laid out in front of you step by step, you know it’s not your path. Your own path you make with every step you take. That’s why it’s your path.”
"No one in the world was ever you before, with your particular gifts and abilities and possibilities. It’s a shame to waste those by doing what someone else has done."
“Is the system going to flatten you out and deny you your humanity, or are you going to be able to make use of the system to the attainment of human purposes?”
Once again thank you for the opportunity to take a look at this idea more closely.