Minnesota’s Electronic Portfolio TM - “efolio” A Statewide Infrastructure NLII Focus Session October 25, 2002 Gary Langer Minnesota State Colleges and Universities

Some definitions first…. Portfolio: systematic and organized collection of a user's work and assessments that documents their efforts, progress and achievements of intended outcomes - for education, career and personal goals Electronic portfolio (e-portfolio): A portfolio that is stored in an electronic format (floppy, CD- ROM, LAN) Web-based e-portfolio: An e-portfolio that uses the web to store and display information.

More …. More …. E-portfolio facilitates life-long learning From K-12 through higher education and beyond Learner in control of education Worker responsible for career development Contains Demographic information Academic & Career History AssessmentsResumes Educational publications Work Samples Audio, Video, Photo files Hyperlinks

Portfolios - a valued tool Portfolios have been used for years as part of the teaching and learning experience Their value to an individual and an organization has been well documented There are numerous examples of paper-based and electronic portfolios (Winona SU, UM, CMA) Conclusion: Portfolios “work”

- Short History - Short History Project was funded by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, in part with a grant received through the federal Dept. of Education Work efforts initiated in the Summer of 2001 Three work groups plus a design team were established to develop the specifications - student, worker, and educator An RFP was issued to procure software development products/services. Contract with Avenet executed in Fall 2001 to license their content management engine Beta testing took place Spring 2002 at MnSCU campuses, workforce centers and other organizations Check out for more info.

Key project assumptions Technology literacy Need to accommodate users of various skill sets - if you can run a word processor, you can administer the site Need to accommodate users of various skill sets - if you can run a word processor, you can administer the siteCustomizable One size can not fit all, users want uniqueness One size can not fit all, users want uniqueness Types of information Text and multi-media documents Text and multi-media documents

Assumptions continue… Security Three levels of security - public, restricted and private. Need to address under 18 issue. Three levels of security - public, restricted and private. Need to address under 18 issue.Web-based “Nothing but net”. Access through Internet Explorer or Netscape. “Nothing but net”. Access through Internet Explorer or Netscape. Administrative tools Limiting site size, turning off sites, etc. Limiting site size, turning off sites, etc.

What makes “Minnesota’s Electronic Portfolio TM ” unique?

Setting the bar... Control Puts the learner in charge of their learning process Puts the learner in charge of their learning processScope Minnesota residents and students (enrolled at Minnesota institutions) are eligible Minnesota residents and students (enrolled at Minnesota institutions) are eligibleTools Built in tutorials Built in tutorials Choice of templates Choice of templates Online Survey and Forms Online Survey and Forms

Setting the bar - continue Deployment Access is completely web-based Access is completely web-basedFlexibility Customizable to meet the needs of workers, students and educators Customizable to meet the needs of workers, students and educatorsAvailability/cost Free for a lifetime (target) Free for a lifetime (target) “Pedagogical” independence Can fit the needs of multiple institutions and organizations Can fit the needs of multiple institutions and organizations

The project...

Team Information Work groups Included content experts from various areas Included content experts from various areas Beta testers Are using the tool - today Are using the tool - today MnSCU IT staff Hosting infrastructure (St. Cloud ITS Regional Center) Hosting infrastructure (St. Cloud ITS Regional Center) Minnesota Dept. of Economic Security Service Center MnSCU Center for Teaching & Learning

How does it work - simple as 1, 2, 3 Step 1 - Get to Step 2 - Go through the sign-up process Overview of the tool Overview of the tool Provide your name, age (under 18 issue) Provide your name, age (under 18 issue) Agree to code of conduct/terms of use (accountability placed on owner of site) Agree to code of conduct/terms of use (accountability placed on owner of site) Step 3 - Sign-in to your site Receive an notification with your site URL ( along with your password and userid Receive an notification with your site URL ( along with your password and userid

Student Sample

Worker Sample

Educator Sample

Sample Templates

Forms and Surveys

Search Site

Next … Minnesota project National pilot project Funding/grant opportunities

Minnesota project Soft launch August 1, 2002 Presentations - local and national Formal announcement by Chancellor in November Adopted by: institutions - Rainy River CC and Bemidji SU (DLiTE teacher education portfolios) & faculty - Inver Hills CC, Northwest TC, etc. Portfolio class (Century College) “Tuning” the infrastructure

National pilot project Using federal Dept. of Labor funding, MnSCU amended its contract with Avenet to provide efolio sites for up to 5,000 users within 25 different organizations Project runs through June 30, 2003 Alliance with Avenet, LLC

Finding funding/grant opportunities College/University Alumni Office connections Developed a communication strategy/plan Looking for grant and other funding opportunities Goal is to find resources to support and expand the infrastructure along with enhancing the tools functionality Chance to partner with other states/ organizations

Opportunities and Challenges Resources to help maintain and enhance the effort Communicate project and provide training to help MnSCU campuses institutionalize the project Addressing marketing and other promotional opportunities

Thank you! Thank you! Gary Langer