Micro TeaLeaf: BADGES, Badges, badges[edit]

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The importance of acknowledgement: Hi hosts! One of the areas that was identified as a next step for making the Teahouse even better are acknowledgements. Acknowledgements are "easy ways for thanking hosts and guests, [to] regularly acknowledge and reward each other for contributions." (Phase 2 plan). The Teahouse Phase 2 report identified acknowledgements as a way to motivate and encourage editors to participate further by pointing out where they have contributed something positive and letting them know what else they might try next. Survey research suggests that acknowledgements are especially appreciated by female editors, a demographic the Teahouse is trying to reach.

Badges v. barnstars: On Wikipedia, the most established mechanism for acknowledgements are Barnstars (as well as other editing awards). These tools are a fantastic way to highlight editing milestones and exceptional achievement. An area where we have less established mechanisms is in the recognition of regular (but still important) achievements, the smaller tasks and goals that editors accomplish on their way to mastering this site. To attempt to creatively fill that gap, a few editors have been putting together a new type of reward system called Badges. Badges, like Boyscout and Girlscout merit badges, are a type of micro-award, one given more regularly for specific skill acquisition and positive contributions; badges mark the steps towards success, the intermediate points between being an eager but lost beginner and an exceptional contributor.

The pilot: Over the next few weeks we will be rolling out a Badges pilot project. Teahouse Badges aim to recognize micro-achievements such as creating a Teahouse profile, asking a great question, giving a great answer, serving as host maitre d', maintaining the Teahouse's welcoming and helpful atmosphere, suggesting ways to improve the Teahouse, fixing items on the Teahouse wishlist, and any other helpful steps that the Teahouse wants to recognize and encourage. User:Anyashy and User:Heatherawalls have been doing great design work. I'm sure they'd love to hear your feedback about how to make the page even more accessible and effective. There's also a wide-open opportunity to invent and suggest other badges that the Teahouse community might want to give out. Think big, go wild.

Measuring results: Badges on the Teahouse are an intentional experiment. With the help of User:Jtmorgan, we will be able to track the distribution of badges and measure whether receiving them increases editor activity, retention, and satisfaction. Our hunch is that it will, but that is something we want to explicitly test and only continue if the data shows it is working. Please share any thoughts, suggestions, or concerns you have about this project. We hope you'll play around with the badges, give them to deserving editors, and integrate them into the awesome atmosphere of the Teahouse you've created.

What you can try right now:

Install the super easy WikiLove Badge script
Give a badge to a deserving Teahouse guest who asks a great question
Give a badge to a helpful Teahouse host who gives a a great answer
Thank our guiding maitre d's for their awesome service
Use the Welcome badge, conveniently linked on each new guest profile (just click on the tree) note: you might first check if editors have already received one
Browse through more sparkly, clever badge creations
Suggest new badge ideas

And...in the spirit of acknowledgement, our way of saying thank you for you great work and all of the progress that you've helped the Teahouse make:

	Welcome to the Teahouse Badge
	Awarded to editors who have introduced themselves at the Wikipedia Teahouse. Guest editors with this badge show initiative and a great drive to learn how to edit Wikipedia. Earn more badges at: Teahouse Badges

Keep on being wonderful welcoming people and editors. Thank you! -- The Teahouse Team 19:49, 31 January 2013 (UTC)