Definitive Glossary of Digital Credentials

ight now information flows at impressive speeds and the authenticity of achievements is essential, digital credentials have emerged as a fundamental tool to validate and recognize skills, competencies and achievements in a reliable and efficient manner. Therefore, here we bring you the glossary of digital credentials, the most complete that can exist.

This glossary aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the different facets related to digital credentials. Here, we will explore key terms ranging from technical concepts to strategic and social elements. From the structure of digital badges to the importance of cybersecurity in their issuance and verification, this glossary will be a helpful guide to navigating the ever-evolving world of digital credentials.

Whether you’re an educator, an employer, a professional looking for up-to-date skills, or simply someone interested in understanding how digital credentials are shaping the way we document and recognize achievement, this glossary will provide you with the foundation you need to explore this exciting field.

52 terms related to digital credentials

1. Digital/Verifiable Credential

It is an electronic way to demonstrate skills, learning, achievements, titles, identity, belongings or permissions online. It replaces physical documents and is stored securely in electronic format, facilitating verification in digital environments. They use secure technologies such as blockchain to prevent counterfeiting. Examples of digital credentials include badges and digital certificates.

2. Digital Badge

It is a type of digital credential. It consists of a graphical representation of online achievements, such as skills or merits. They are used on digital platforms and social networks. They reflect specific criteria and contain metadata. Flexible and accessible, they are shared in digital profiles and resumes. They expand the demonstration of achievements in the digital environment.

3. Digital Certificate

Electronic document that validates the successful completion of a course, workshop or learning program. Issued by educational institutions or training platforms, it certifies the acquisition of specific knowledge and skills. These digital certificates allow students to demonstrate their achievements in a verifiable way and share it with potential employers or in their professional profiles on the web. They also encourage continuous learning by recognizing students’ efforts. When it contains blockchain, it is considered a type of digital credential.

4. Issuer

The entity, such as an educational institution or organization, that grants a digital credential to recognize a particular achievement or skill.

5. Accredited

The person who receives the digital credential in recognition of their achievement, learning or participation and who, if desired, can share on networks such as LinkedIn.

6. Metadata

Descriptive information included in the digital credential that provides details such as the date of issue, criteria met, and issuer. Helps verify the authenticity and context of the badge. Among the main metadata fields we find: title, description, skills, requirements, issuer, issue date, evidence, expiration and tags.

7. Requirements

The specific fulfillment criteria that an individual must meet to be eligible to earn a digital credential. These criteria may include completion of a course, demonstration of skills, or participation in an activity.

8. Evidence

Documentation that supports obtaining a digital credential. It may include assignments, projects, exams, or anything else that demonstrates that the earning criteria have been met.

9. Issue date

The issue date is the date the digital badge is awarded to the recipient. Provides a temporary record that can be useful to verify when the achievement was obtained.

10. Digital Badge Platform

An online system that allows issuers to create, grant and manage digital credentials.

11. Open Badges 3.0

The latest version of the open digital badge standards. It provides a technological framework to create, award and display digital badges in an interoperable manner across various platforms and systems. This version improves portability, security, and metadata integration into badges, allowing for more reliable verification of achievements and skills. Open Badges 3.0 also encourages customization and the creation of more flexible badge programs, contributing to the creation of more robust and relevant digital credentials in education and training.

12. Badge Collection

A series of digital badges earned by an individual in a variety of areas. It can be used to represent diversified skills and achievements. It also refers to the microcredentials earned by a student in a given learning path.

13 .Badging

The process of awarding and earning digital badges. It also refers to the development and design of digital badge programs.

14. Microcredentials

Part of a sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time to develop a person’s qualifications and help that person advance in a career or learning path.

15. Validation

The process of confirming the authenticity and relevance of a digital credential through verification of metadata and provided evidence.

16. Digital wallet

A digital wallet in education is a technology solution that stores verified learning completed by the individual. The wallet is owned by the individual and may be based on a decentralized blockchain architecture (which generally means that the wallet platform is not owned or stored on a single platform). This decentralized approach keeps ownership of data with the user rather than a centralized entity (corporation or government).

17. Interoperability

It refers to the ability of different systems and platforms to work together and share badge data seamlessly. It implies that digital badges created on one platform can be recognized, verified and displayed correctly on other platforms and environments. This allows badge recipients to seamlessly carry their achievements from one place to another and ensures that the information and authenticity of the badges remain consistent across various contexts.

18. Blockchain

Decentralized digital ledger technology that securely stores and verifies transactions and records on a distributed network. It consists of a chain of linked blocks, where each block contains data and a cryptographic signature that links it to the previous block, ensuring the integrity and security of the information. This technology eliminates the need for intermediaries by allowing multiple participants to reliably validate transactions. Additionally, blockchain’s inherent immutability and transparency make it useful in applications such as cryptocurrency management, property registries, and data verification. It is not the same as bitcoin, it is a broader concept with more uses.

19. Badge Title

The title is the name or short heading that describes the digital badge and its specific achievement. Provides a quick idea of ​​what the badge represents.

20. Badge Description

The description is more detailed text that provides additional information about the badge. It may include information about achievements, skills, or criteria met to earn the badge.

21. Expiration

Expiration is the deadline until which the digital badge is valid. Some badges may have a validity period after which they need to be renewed or updated.

22. Labels

Tags, also known as keyword tags, are words or phrases used to categorize and organize digital badges. They help you sort through badges and find them more easily in collections or online profiles.

23. Cryptography

The use of encryption and decryption techniques to ensure the privacy and security of information in digital credentials.

24. Digital identity

The online representation of a person’s identity, which may include personal information, credentials, profiles and other attributes.

25. Privacy

The protection of personal data contained in digital credentials, ensuring that only authorized parties have access to this information.

26. Digital trust

Trust in the authenticity and validity of digital credentials, which is based on the underlying technology, issuance processes and appropriate verification.

27. Node

A point in a blockchain network that stores and shares information, contributing to the decentralization and security of the network.

28. Decentralized network

A network in which authority and control are not centralized in a single entity, but are distributed among multiple nodes and participants.

29. Open standards

Protocols and specifications that are public and accessible to everyone, enabling interoperability and widespread use of digital credentials.

30. API

An application programming interface that allows developers to integrate the issuance and verification of digital credentials into their applications and systems.

31. Skills

Skills are the abilities, skills or knowledge that a person has acquired and can apply in various situations. They can be both technical skills (such as programming, graphic design, etc.) and soft skills (such as communication, leadership, teamwork, etc.).

32. Seal

A seal in the context of digital badges generally refers to a graphic or visual element that represents an online certification, achievement, or recognition. This can be an icon or image that is placed next to information to indicate the validity or authenticity of the badge.

33. Blockchain Diploma

A blockchain diploma is an academic certificate or degree that is stored and verified on a blockchain. A blockchain is a distributed ledger technology that ensures the integrity and immutability of data stored on it. In the case of blockchain diplomas, this ensures the authenticity and the difficulty of forging these certificates.

34. Accredita

Platform that is dedicated to connecting skills through technological services based on the accreditation of skills through blockchain technology. It is a pioneer in Latin America in providing organizations, educational institutions and professional unions the ability to recognize and make visible the skills and knowledge of its members in real time, using our verifiable digital credentials solution.

35. LinkedIn

Social network designed for professionals to establish work connections, showcase their skills and experience, search for employment opportunities, and build their professional brand online. It is the favorite network to share digital credentials.

36. Constancy

The certificate is a document or evidence that certifies the completion of a certain activity, course, training or achievement. In the context of digital badges, a certificate can be a digital file that demonstrates that an individual has successfully completed a specific training or activity.

37. Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting computer systems, networks and data against attacks, damage or unauthorized access. In the context of digital badges, cybersecurity is important to ensure that verifiable credentials and achievements are not compromised by malicious third parties.

38. Portability

It means that the credential has value locally, nationally, and perhaps internationally in labor markets, educational systems, and/or other contexts. The credential can be used by the winner in a variety of settings, and the context and competencies that the credential represents remain intact and accessible to credential consumers. A portable credential allows recipients to move vertically and horizontally within and across the credentialing ecosystem to earn other credentials.

39. Digital transformation

Digital transformation involves the integration of digital technologies into all areas of an organization or society, resulting in significant changes to the way they operate and offer services. In relation to digital badges, digital transformation can influence how credentials are issued, shared and verified.

40. JSON

JSON (JavaScript Object Notation) is a lightweight data interchange format commonly used to structure information into machine-readable objects. It is used in the issuance and verification of digital badges due to its flexible structure and easy interpretation.

41. W3C

The W3C (World Wide Web Consortium) is an international organization that sets standards for the World Wide Web, including protocols and formats used in the semantic web and technologies related to digital badges.

42. EdTech

EdTech refers to educational technology, which encompasses the use of technological tools and platforms in teaching and learning. Digital badges are an EdTech application that supports the issuance and validation of educational achievements.

43. Adoption

Adoption refers to the process of acceptance and use of new technologies or practices by individuals or organizations. In the context of digital badges, adoption refers to how many people or institutions are actively using this system.

44. Commitment

It refers to the commitment of students and collaborators to the courses/training processes and to the organization, a product of the motivation generated by digital credentials.

45. Digital reputation

Digital reputation refers to the perception that others have of a person or organization online. Digital badges can contribute to building a positive reputation by demonstrating verifiable achievements and skills.

​​46. Development culture

Development culture refers to the environment in which individuals and organizations encourage continuous learning, skill improvement, and the adoption of new competencies. Digital badges can be part of this culture by recognizing and rewarding these efforts.

47. Endogenous marketing

Endogenous marketing involves the promotion and positioning of products or services from within the organization itself, using internal resources. In the context of digital badges, this occurs when accredited people share their achievements on networks and end up generating presence and promotion for the organization.

48. Socializable

Attribute of badges that allows them to be easily shared on social media platforms and other online media. This helps increase visibility and recognition of achievements.

49. CLR/LER

Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR) or Learning and Employment Record (LER) is a comprehensive record of an individual’s learning and employment. It can include diplomas, certificates, assessments, and also digital badges to provide a complete picture of someone’s skills and achievements.

50. Taxonomy of a badge

The taxonomy of a badge refers to the structure and categorization of the data and metadata that make up the badge. This allows for a clear understanding of the elements that the badge represents.

51. Upskilling

It refers to the process of acquiring new skills, knowledge or competencies that complement or improve a person’s existing skills. This improvement in existing skills may be necessary to keep up with technological advances, changes in the labor market, or to take on more advanced roles within an organization.

52. Reskilling

It involves the process of learning and developing a completely new set of skills or competencies that are different from those a person previously had. This is often necessary when a person’s existing skills become obsolete due to changes in industry, technology or job demand, and is essential to maintaining employability and adapting to new opportunities. Both reskilling and upskilling are processes that many organizations recognize through digital credentials.

Subscribe to blog here and receive all our content