Socially Vulnerable Individuals Digital Portfolio (DP) Kassandra Teliopoulos 19/03/09

Portfolio: a general definition The collection of the important works of an individual that represents his/her efforts, his/her development as well as the results he/she has attained in different sectors of learning

It is a tool for the evaluation of non formal and informal learning. It recognizes and makes visible the abilities and skills an individual has acquired through non formal and informal learning.

Types of Learning: Differences and Similarities Type of learning ContextCertificationIntentionalStructured Formal Learning School, vocational training within the context of the formal educational system etc. YES Non Formal Learning Outside the formal educational system (further vocational training programs, lessons at home etc YES Informal Learning Everyday life and leisure activities as well as vocational experiences NO

Informal abilities are acquired through: Everyday, work and leisure activities Parents, relatives and friends who teach us something …. Observing an expert while he/she performs an activity

Informal Learning has the following characteristics: It results from life activities that are meaningful and important for the individual It is ‘silent’, it takes an effort to make it visible Disadvantaged groups tend to depreciate and undermine the skills that they have acquired through informal learning; as a result, it is difficult to describe them

What it contains: The digital portfolio (dp) may include: Photographs of the work products Videos of the individual performing an activity while he/she explains what he/she is doing and why he/she is doing it Audio material

The development of a DP constitutes a counseling procedure The individual, supported by the counselor: Evaluates his/her experience Decides on and collects the products that will be included in the portfolio Thinks about the learning procedure he/she has experienced He/she makes decisions concerning his/her future steps

Individual sessions and interviews between the beneficiary and the counselor Use of tools: P/C, scanner, digital video camera, digital camera, tape recorder, etc. … Phases of counseling procedure The Development of a DP requires:

The Counselor SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER the following: The development of a DP is a counseling procedure empowering the individual Informal skills are ‘hidden’ The beneficiary has the tendency to depreciate and marginalize the skills and abilities that he/she has acquired informally The characteristics of Informal learning, so as to be able to detect the activity sectors within which the individual has acquired his/her skills

The Counselor cont. SHOULD NOT ALSO FORGET TO: Encourage the verbal expression of the individual Detect, acknowledge and make visible the skills and abilities that the individual has acquired so as to empower him/her Last but not least: That the ultimate goal is the personal and vocational development of the individual

IEKEP has produced 5 pilot DPs with different target groups Before the experimentation operators were properly trained by IEKEP Furthermore, during the experimentation phase the operators were assisted by IEKEP counsellors Experimentation with the digital portfolio (DP)

Both beneficiaries and operators welcomed the DP and enjoyed the procedure However, it is a relatively long procedure that requires guidance and preparation The whole procedure is an important learning (empowering) experience for the beneficiary Also, it familiarizes the beneficiary with IT Results/comments on the Experimentation

Some reservations: Will the DP be appreciated & used by employers? Are employers of very small companies familiarized with IT? How shal we involve employers in the whole procedure? Results/comments on the Experimentation (cont.)