1. Providing a visual tool for dyslexics to build an e-Portfolio John Phelps Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, UK. SE14 6NW

2. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Project team Goldsmiths, University of London –Project management –Implementation –Evaluation System Simulation Limited –Software development Project funded by JISC –Round 2 of the Developing E-learning Tools Programme

3. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Problem E-portfolio Construction –Arranging of ideas in a linear form and framework Visual Arts and Design –Large numbers (Up to 45%) of students may have dyslexia Need to find a way to support these students to construct a portfolio

4. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Objective The purpose of the project is to develop a portfolio publishing tool that enables portfolios to be compiled and presented in a non-linear format Dyslexics (and others!!) like presenting and using information in a visual map type approach

5. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Technical Stuff V-MAP is –Stand alone tool or embedded JAVA Applet, written using J2SE Sun JAVA J2SE 1.4.2 - XML 1.0 Third Edition - http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC- xml-20040204/http://www.w3.org/TR/2004/REC- xml-20040204/ –Complies with IMS e-Portfolio 1.0

6. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Building a Portfolio VMAP allows you to build an e-Portfolio in a visual manner from a one of eight concepts or building blocks. The portfolio can freeform providing more flexibility than a traditional form based system or can be based upon a specific template. Activity Things that you do or have done Goal A target or something that you want to do. Affiliation Details of the organisation that you are associated with for the purposes of the topic Product Something that you have produced that is associated with the topic Competency A skill that you have achieved. Interest A hobby, pursuit, or subject that you engage in or with. Assertion A statement explaining the reasoning of your components Reflection A discourse about the related components

7. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Potential Uses Nadia is a dyslexic student on BSc Sociology Degree. Students are required to complete their e-Portfolios to demonstrate their progress throughout the year in developing their key-skills as defined by the department. The students share their portfolios with their tutors and are encouraged to share aspects of their portfolios in a published format with other students Ajay is a mature student on a Postgraduate Course. In order to get associate membership of a professional institution he has to demonstrate competencies in skills defined by the professional institution, and also wants to use the portfolio developed to demonstrate to prospective employers his range of skills

8. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios

9. Initial User Studies User study over one month –14 users at HE level –Factors explored through questionnaire study Usability Language Presentation

10. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Usability

11. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Language

12. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Presentational Features

13. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Evaluation Does VMAP enable the learner to interact with a pre-defined institutional template in a format that is more accessible to the learner? Does VMAP enable the learner to plan, construct an e-Portfolio through the use of a visual mapping interface, on their own personal desktop? Does VMAP enable the learner to share, publish and disseminate an e-Portfolio through the use of a visual mapping interface to their institutional system?

14. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Methodology Four implementations in a range of contexts (higher, tertiary and professional) Questionnaire, semi-structured interview and focus groups to gather data from students and teachers

15. VMAP a visual tool for e-Portfolios Project Contact Details John Phelps mailto:j.phelps@gold.ac.uk web http://vmap.gold.ac.uk Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, UK. SE14 6NW