The Use and Value of Badges: Leveraging Salesforce Trailhead Badges for Marketing Technology Education (revision submitted)

Recent calls to the academy challenge marketing educators to prepare new graduates for a complex, high-stakes marketing environment driven by technology. We explore the value of utilizing readily available marketing technology (martech) learning platforms as a means to stimulate preparedness for new careers or career advancement. Specifically, we explore the potential of using Salesforce Trailhead digital badges as a learning platform. We discuss how faculty can develop a Trailmix for their classes based on their specific learning outcomes. Next, we test the efficacy and student outcomes of using a marketing technology–focused digital badge learning platform.