Using E-portfolio for Staff Development
What is an ePortfolio?
An ePortfolio is essentially an online collection of reflections and digital artefacts (such
as digital images and documents) that learners can use to demonstrate their
development over time to various audiences.
Richard Wyles eCDF ePortfolio Project
Key Concepts
Use for life long learning
Learner/User are the owners on the content
Individual content of items can be combined together for presentations
Content items are reusable
Personal reflection on content items can be made
Transferable
Artefacts: These are any digital images and documents that are uploaded by the
student/staff member to their file repository. Can be word doc, PowerPoint, video,
spreadsheets etc
Views: Are collection of artefacts, blogs or other text information collected together for
display by the user. The view determines how the information is laid out and organised.
Can be displayed to general public, to group, or via a secret URL to selected people
Group: A group of users who have access to a common forum, files and contribute to
group view etc. Can be created by any user of the system. There are three types,
Public, Invitation Only, Controlled.
How does this relate to Staff Development
Why Use them
Enable staff to maintain their own record of Professional Development.
Enable staff to have one location for a number of activities
Portable
Use existing documentation – does have to converted to another format
Enable staff to become familiar with the concepts and use of e-portfolio before/when
using it will students.
How can we use e-portfolios
Profession Development
Recognition of Prior Learning
Profession Development Programme
Evidence of reflection of PD
Evidence of Skills development
Evidence of reflection of teaching evaluation
SAEER
Evidence of Self Assessment
Evidence of reflection and development regarding Self Assessment
Evidence of reflection on the 7 SAEER questions
Evidence of contribution to Business Unit (BU) and organisational SAEER questions
How can we use e-portfolios
Research Profiles
Research Outputs
Research Groups
Research Interests etc
Academic Profiles
Evidence of ;
– Qualifications
– Professional Experience
– Teaching Experience
– Professional Qualifications
Mahara/MyPortfolio
Mahara an open source e-portfolio system developed as part of eCDF project which
involved Massey University, the Auckland University of Technology, the Open
Polytechnic and Victoria University of Wellington.
Additional development was undertaken by the Flexible Learning Network and Catalyst
IT. This was funded by the Ministry of Education and the application of Mellon
Foundation funds from the Open Polytechnic’s winning a 2007 Mellon Award for
Technology Collaboration.
The open source software was the commercialised by Flexible Learning Network and
Catalyst IT and is available as a hosted service call myPortfolio
Issues
Currently there as some issues with Mahara/myPortfolio
• A portfolio can not be transferred or exported out of the system- Should be resolved
late 2009
•Institutions has not control over the content
– Any objectionable material can only be located thru students, or general public self reporting
– It is possible for students to create a “secret” view which will be only accessible to those who receive the
web address
myPortfolio is unable to restrict search results to one institution All students, groups etc
are shown in search results
System requirement – Large file storage space is required
Groups: Unable to “bulk” add students to a controlled group
– Each user has to be added to a group by going to their individual profile
Recommended Reading
e-Assessment Guide to effective practice The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority
(QCA), the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS),
the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessments (CCEA) and the Scottish
Qualifications Authority(SQA)
A Review Of The Literature On Portfolios And Electronic Portfolios Philippa Butler, eCDF
ePortfolio Project Massey University College of Education Palmerston North, New
Zealand
IMS ePortfolio best practice and implementation guide IMS Global Learning Consortium
Inc www.ims.org
E-portfolios – Definitions and directions paper British Educational Communications and
Technology Agency (Becta)