State of the art of ePortfolios on a European and international scale ePortfolio Forum Austria April Maureen Layte, EIfEL

© EIfEL EIfEL’s Mission enable learning individuals to manage their own learning, knowledge, competencies and continuing professional development enable learning organisations to provide a framework for organisational knowledge and develop staff competencies enable learning cities and learning regions to provide a framework for innovation, development and social inclusion E-learning: the e- transformation of individual and organisational learning, so as to reflect the needs of a knowledge economy and society and the potential of knowledge, information and learning technologies (KILT)

“In 2010 every citizen will have an ePortfolio”

© EIfEL Portfolio history A tool in paper format already used by millions (UK, Australia, China, US, Finland…) To accredit experience and competencies To supplement or replace examinations To support learning and professional development An approach to learning and assessment based on A global view of the individual and of the learning and assessment process An integrated view of the assessment process based on a collection of evidence – in the professional or social context An assessment of knowledge ‘inferred’ from proof of competence, rather than from the results of exams or tests

© EIfEL ePortfolio defined An ePortfolio is (NLII, 2003) is “a collection of authentic and diverse evidence, drawn from a larger archive, representing what a person or organization has learned over time, on which the person or organization has reflected, and designed for presentation to one or more audiences for a particular rhetorical purpose” “Ubiquitous, portable, electronic knowledge databases that are private, personalised and sharable, and are easily accessible via the web.” Stanford University Learning Lab

© EIfEL ePortfolio defined (2) The e-portfolio is an information management system that uses electronic media and services. The learner builds and maintains a digital repository of artefacts, which they can use to demonstrate competence and reflect on their learning. Having access to their records, digital repository, feedback and reflection, students can achieve a greater understanding of their individual growth, learning and career planning. Accreditation for prior and/or extra-curricular experiences and control over access makes the e- portfolio a powerful tool. (ERADC)

© EIfEL Why do we need ePortfolios? “ I n a k n o w l e d g e e c o n o m y k n o w l e d g e w o r k e r s n e e d p e r s o n a l k n o w l e d g e m a n a g e m e n t t o o l s ” Learn, capture knowledge Assess knowledge & skills Share knowledge Value, exploit knowledge & skills Learning Communities Learning Organisation s Learning Territories Learning Individuals “ I n a d i g i t a l w o r l d, c i t i z e n s m u s t b e a b l e t o p r e s e n t t h e m s e l v e s d i g i t a l l y ” A n n e G i l l e r a n, E U N “ C P D i s n ’ t a b o u t t i c k i n g b o x e s a f t e r a t t e n d i n g a c o u r s e, i t i s a b o u t e x t r a c t i n g l e a r n i n g f r o m t h e w o r k p l a c e ”

© EIfEL How can I describe my ePortfolio? My digital clone A digital representation / extension of my self – my eSelf My work companion A tool blended into my learning / working environment My butler A service provider to one’s self My dashboard An informative display of the state of my skills and knowledge My planner A tool to plan my learning My IPR management assistant A tool to value and exploit my personal assets

© EIfEL Shall we manage one or multiple ePortfolios? Me Contexts school, work, community, … Purposes learning, assessment, … Learning, life episodes Job search, PLAR Peers Communities ePortfolios

© EIfEL 25 Countries 454 Millions inhabitants 20 Official languages 2010 Objective To make Europe “the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based economy in the world, with sustainable economic development, more and better jobs, and greater social cohesion“ 2000 Lisbon declaration

© EIfEL Maastricht declaration […] the development of an open and flexible European qualifications framework, founded on transparency and mutual trust. The framework will provide a common reference to facilitate the recognition and transferability of qualifications covering both VET and general (secondary and higher) education, based mainly on competences and learning outcomes. It will improve permeability within education and training systems, provide a reference for the validation of informally acquired competences and support the smooth and effective functioning of the European, national and sectoral labour markets. The framework should be underpinned by a set of common reference levels. It should be supported by instruments agreed at European level, particularly quality assurance mechanisms to create the necessary mutual trust […]

© EIfEL European Initiatives  Common principles and criteria for the quality of education and vocational training  European Qualifications Framework  Common principles for the validation of informal and non- formal learning  Credit transfer for initial and vocational education  Europass Curriculum Vitæ Mobility Diploma supplement Certificate Supplement Language portfolio

© EIfEL The role ePortfolios can play in European strategy Transparency of qualifications Quality assurance in education Accreditation of prior learning Competency based approach Lifelong and lifewide learning support Educational reform

© EIfEL Europortfolio A European consortium designed to Achieve the goal ‘ePortfolio for all’ Promote innovative practice and technology Contribute to the definition of technical standards and encourage interoperability Provide support to, and co-ordinate, European initiatives Contribute to the creation and development of a worldwide ePortfolio community

© EIfEL European projects Many EC-financed projects are integrating the ePortfolio: EPICC – eP interoperability Key-Pal – eP for development and accreditation of key skills Inflow– eP for validation of informal and informal learning Osmosys – eP to support learning in SMEs eTTCampus – eP for development and accreditation of teachers’ and trainers’ competencies Silographic – a competency framework for graphic design workers to be incorporated in an eP

© EIfEL Where do we find ePortfolios? All sectors of education Teacher training Apprenticeship training Basic/key skills Continuing professional development Community activities

© EIfEL Europe UK – broadest use across sectors and explicit part of government policy in 2 countries England – part of eLearning strategy Wales - lifelong learning ePortfolio for 3 million citizens Scotland – assessment for ‘modern apprenticeships’ Northern Ireland – planned use for special needs France Pilot programmes for vocational education Netherlands Tertiary education and postgraduate medical education

© EIfEL Europe (2) Sweden –Personal Learning Portfolios (Folio Thinking) Italy - an ePortfolio for all schoolchildren Germany – masters’ level degrees Denmark – ePortfolios and knowledge management Finland –research and development in teacher education.

© EIfEL England’s eLearning strategy PRIORITY 1 - Provide an integrated online information service for all citizens PRIORITY 2 - Ensure integrated online personal support for learners. […] Our second priority extends this personalised support to learners, helping with all stages of education, and with progression to the next stage. We will encourage every institution to offer a personal online learning space to store coursework, course resources, results, and achievements. We will work towards developing a personal identifier for each learner, so that organisations can support an individual’s progression more effectively. Together, these facilities will become an electronic portfolio, making it simpler for learners to build their record of achievement throughout their lifelong learning. PRIORITY 3 - A collaborative approach to personalised learning activities

© EIfEL Wales a learning country Flexible accreditation framework ePortfolio for 3 million citizens Supported by Careers Wales 25,000 users 4 months after launch The e-portfolio will grow with the individual, allowing them to develop a habit of recording and understanding their learning achievements and progress which will be stored in a central digital location.

© EIfEL International US – largest number of users, although currently most widespread in field of education at all levels, apart from Minnesota State initiative; used for digital story-telling Canada – well established in schools, universities and teacher education. Government of Quebec committed to development of e-portfolio Singapore – National Institute of Education leading a project on electronic portfolios and IT integration and education Australia – numerous initiatives in education; used for women returners and digital story-telling. State of Victoria provides a site for the vocational sector

© EIfEL The E-portfolio in action: teachers An extended, dynamic CV, establishing links to an online database, which contains personal and professional achievements, team results, references and all relevant evidence of competence obtained in the course of work and learning. Reflection on own professional practice A tool to manage Personal knowledge and competencies Organisational knowledge Continuing professional development

© EIfEL The E-portfolio in action: the medical sector The Royal College of Nursing (UK) – largest professional union of nursing staff in the world (340,000 members) Creation of learning portal to assist members to develop e-portfolios to: Demonstrate competence Keep up to date with current issues in area of practice Obtain re-registration Continue professional development Portfolios contain reflective diaries, case histories, critical incidents and independent testimonials Seen as key step in efforts to encourage lifelong learning and support nurses to deliver better patient care In professional medicine, increasing demands for reflective clinical practice, and skills and attitudes appropriate to audit, appraisal and professional revalidation: initiatives in the UK, Canada, the Netherlands Other medical professionals involved in eP initiatives: dentists, veterinary surgeons, pharmacists, radiographers

© EIfEL International co- operation Europortfolio partnerships: Canada (LIFIA Consortium) Australia (ePortfolio Australia 2005) Conferences Research Publications

© EIfEL 2010 objective ePortfolio interoperability ePortfolio policies ePortfolio and eCitizenship ePortfolio and eGovernance ePortfolio and eMedicine Federal Region / state Professional bodies, unions Communities Institution Course / class Individual

Thank you