AWT4CL 11 Navigate Change and Ambiguity Badge

Author: Curtis R. Friedel   --
You are an agent of change. By the nature of you solving problems, you create solutions that change the situation from the current status to a more desired status. We each create change that others may resist, and others may create change that we choose to accept or resist. If we consider the different aspects of change, we can better communicate about the parts of change we like, and the parts of change that are troublesome.

We can assess different aspects of change to better help us Navigate Change and Ambiguity. Among many of the ways to assess change, we can consider change by its speed (slow to fast), size (small to large), sophistication (simple to complex) and style (evolutionary to revolutionary). Each of these aspects of change are independent from each other. You may want to think of various changes, both personally, nationally, and globally, and consider how they are different based on these four criteria. Another resource to consider is the Spring 2024 issue of the Agricultural Education Magazine to learn more about leading change in agricultural education programs.

More About Badges
If you are interested in learning more about change, you can earn the Navigate Change and Ambiguity Badge. Gaining this badge allows one to better communicate the aspects of change and address the conflict associated with the change more appropriately. For example, someone may have issues with the speed of change, not the style of change. Listening for these differences can help make the ambiguity of change more clear.

What is the Navigate Change and Ambiguity Badge?
The Navigate Change and Ambiguity Badge can be used to show how the learner can improve communication of change with another individual for the purpose of reducing conflict. With many changes getting faster and being more complex, being able to navigate the communication of change to bring clarity to others is a critical skill employers seek when making hiring decisions. To earn this badge, the learner is led by an instructor or facilitator to identify aspects of change and why one may be resistant to a particular aspect of change.

To earn the Navigate Change and Ambiguity Badge, learners must demonstrate abilities:
  • Recognize that conflict in the workplace is inevitable and handling change constructively allows for progress toward resolution.
  • Offer guidance toward solutions through listening, engaging, and understanding everyone’s point of view.
  • Seek to establish middle ground and think through resolutions for the conflict.
Start Awarding Badges Today!
Get ready to enhance your instruction and help learners better prepare for their careers.

You can start awarding badges to learners today by setting up a Navigate Change and Ambiguity activity. We've provided an example assignment to help you get started.  Also, for more detailed information, check out the project resources, especially the AWT4CL Implementation Guide.

Example Assignment: Practice Navigating Change and Ambiguity
Assign pairs who will work together to participate in a role-play activity. Different scenarios can be developed or found online. Consider role-playing the conflict in real-time during the class, or documented over email, or a combination of a variety of correspondence over a longer period of time. At the end of the role play, ask questions to help students reflect on how they perceive the change, and their mindset towards the change.


Image Credits: 
Untitled Photograph. (n.d.). [Female on bicycle with arms spread in flight]. Microsoft365 Stock Image.
Jordan, B.. (2021). Brown wooden blocks on white surface [Photo]. https://unsplash.com/photos/brown-wooden-blocks-on-white-surface-gJUZjwy2EgE?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash
Untitled Photograph. (n.d.). [Two women in dialogue]. Microsoft365 Stock Image.
Project Resources:
Instructor Welcome Module
AWT4CL Project Website
AWT4CL Implementation Guide - instructions and example assignments for each badge
APLU - Association of Public & Land-grant Universities Employability Skills
Badging System - AWT4CL Badgr/Canvas Credential badges, maintained by Virginia Tech 

Location: Blacksburg, VA, USA

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