The term Open Badge refers to the technical standard endorsed by the badging community for creating and issuing digital badges. The standard is governed by IMS Global with community input.

Open Badges have a standard set of data embedded in them including:

• Description of the badge opportunity
• Criteria required to earn the badge
• Skills/competencies obtained and demonstrated
• Date Issued and Date Expired
• Links to evidence such as images, videos, or presentations

Using the Open Badge standard allows for badge earners to easily transport their badges with them and to store them in other locations like LinkedIn, the Open Badge Backpack, or various electronic portfolio systems.

Image via Bryan Mathers - Visual Thinkery