ePortfolios: Getting started with Mahara

Ambition in Action ePortfolios:Getting started with Mahara /What is an ePortfolio /Examples of ePortfolios /RPL & ePortfolios /What is digital evidence? /Mahara overview /Hands on Mahara training

Ambition in Action What is an eportfolio? An ePortfolio is a digital collection of information, evidence and examples of your interests, skills and achievements and your reflections on these over time, from which you can publish presentations for different audiences. Source - An e-portfolio is a learner-driven collection of digital objects demonstrating experiences, achievements and evidence of learning. E-portfolios provide learners with a structured way of recording their learning experiences and work history. Source - VET E-portfolio Data Protection Assessment Consultation Brief, 2009

Ambition in Action What does an ePortfolio do? Source: ePortfolios for supporting learning and assessment - Alison MillerePortfolios for supporting learning and assessment - Alison Miller

Ambition in Action Examples of ePortfolio platforms /Mahara – Open source ePortfolio /Elgg – Open source social networking platform /PeeblePad – Propriety ePortfolio /Desire2Learn – Propriety LMS/ePortfolio /SkillsBook – Self Assessment Tool

Ambition in Action You don’t need a dedicated platform /An ePortfolio is about capturing the learning process & is student centered /It may traverse qualifications, educational institutions, employers /There are numerous social media/networking services which could serve as a eportfolio

Ambition in Action Benefits of an ePortfolio for students /Valuable self assessment through the reflection process /self esteem and self-confidence will be enhanced as they take control of their learning /They will learn and begin to practice a process that will be used in life long and life wide learning pursuits. /Personal learning record for the future /Credit for informal and non-formal learning as well as formal learning /Feedback from teachers, peers & employers /Portable, flexible and connects with their social networks Source: Stable Transitions, “41 Benefits of an ePortfolio”, January 8, 2010Stable Transitions, “41 Benefits of an ePortfolio”, January 8, 2010

Ambition in Action Benefits of an ePortfolio for employers /Have a more complete picture of the skills of their employees /Managing individual learning plans /Employees can bring all of their learning to their daily job challenges /Fostering a learning community

Ambition in Action Benefits of ePortfolios to RPL /Utilising templates to structure the presentation of RPL evidence combined with ways to organise and find content helps streamline the assessment process /reducing the need for paper based, hard copy evidence and limiting excessive evidence collection /developing and strengthening information and communication technology (ICT) or digital literacy skills /Offering flexibility for students to gather, store and manage their contributions /Allowing students to communicate & collaborate around their recognition process /Fast-tracking RPL process Source: E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: Key findings on current engagement in the VET sector, March 2009E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: Key findings on current engagement in the VET sector, March 2009

Ambition in Action Ways an e-portfolio supports the RPL process /Facilitated self-assessment Self assessment tools ie. Skills Express or Skillsbook may be used in conjunction with an ePortfolio to structure the process of matching competencies and evidence /Supporting communication Best practice skills recognition involves facilitated discussion and conversational style of RPL assessment. ePortfolio have tools such as forums, blogs and media tools to assist this process. /Presentation and validation of evidence Streamlines the process of gathering and validating digital evidence. Material can be re purposed to multiple audiences and contexts. Makes validation by third parties easier. /Assessor tools EPortfolio platforms have a range of functionality which can assist the assessment process. From capturing live activities with audio, video images to collaborative tools so support team assessment and assessment validation. Source: E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: Key findings on current engagement in the VET sector, March 2009E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: Key findings on current engagement in the VET sector, March 2009

Ambition in Action Ways an e-portfolio supports the RPL process /Managing the RPL process Regular access, communication and feedback via a candidate’s e-portfolio by the skills recognition assessor provides ongoing support to aid the management of the RPL process. This assists in keeping the candidate engaged and on track with the process. Source: E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: Key findings on current engagement in the VET sector, March 2009E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: Key findings on current engagement in the VET sector, March 2009

Ambition in Action RPL & E-portfolio enablers /Students / RTO/ assessors / employers need to understand benefits/function of e-portfolios /assessors need to understand digital based evidence and e-portfolio technology /Students need to understand what constitutes evidence and learn to reflect on their practice /Gather evidence as you go not after the fact

Ambition in Action RPL & E-portfolio enablers /Consider how to integrate other tools (eg paper based) if at all? /Consider which units lend best to e-portfolio assessment /Assessor must continue to guide throughout process /Structured vs unstructured e-portfolios

Ambition in Action Findings from the 2009 E-portfolios Implementation Trials / portfoliosblog/?p=70http:// portfoliosblog/?p=70

Ambition in Action Good Practice RPL A good practice RPL model includes facilitated self-assessment, links to units of competency and qualifications, evidence validation (not gathering and collection), use of a variety of evidence forms that corroborate the individual’s competence and a conversational approach to assessing. Source: E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: Key findings on current engagement in the VET sector, March 2009E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: Key findings on current engagement in the VET sector, March 2009

Ambition in Action Remember the RPL basics Principles Assessment /Validity /Flexibility /Fairness /Reliability Employability Skills Rules of Evidence /Validity /Currency /Sufficiency /Authenticity

Ambition in Action Evidence types /Observation /Questioning /Work samples /Third party feedback /Simulations, role plays /Presentations /Self assessment /Documents /Video /Photos /Audio files /Qualifications

Ambition in Action What makes evidence gathering different for e-portfolios? /E-portfolios increase the range of evidence that can be provided /Should be reduced emphasis on paper based gathering of evidence /Should be increased use of naturally occurring evidence (Perry 2009)