To introduce this module we have four short videos.

• What are ePortfolios? Their role in 21st century learning - Serge Ravet, Eifel

• e-Portfolio implementation and development - Graham Atwell, Pontydysgu

• A student's ePortfolio story Thomas Pallister - Wolsingham School and Community College

• A teacher's ePortfolio story: Implementing a Multimedia Student ePortfolio John Pallister, Wolsingham School and Community College

Note to teacher and learners

• If you are following this course by self learning you may wish to watch all of the videos.

• If you are a facilitator or teacher delivering this course in a face to face situation you may wish to select one or more of the videos depending on the needs and experience of your participants. You also may wish to download and edit the slides used here to make your own presentation. All materials are freely available and we have attempted to ensure everything can be reused and re-edited whenever possible.

Activity

ePortfolios could be defined as “a purposeful collection of student [or teacher] work that illustrates efforts, progress, and achievement in one or more areas over time. An electronic portfolio uses digital technologies, allowing the portfolio developer to collect and organize portfolio artifacts in many media types (audio, video, graphics, text). A standards-based portfolio uses a database or hypertext links to clearly show the relationship between standards or goals, artifacts, and reflections. The learner's reflections are the rationale that specific artifacts are evidence of achieving the stated standards or goals. An electronic portfolio is a reflective tool that demonstrates growth over time."

There are three broad approaches to ePortfolio development and use.

• Think about different user groups. Are some approaches to using ePortfolios more appropriate to particular user groups than others?

• What are the advantages of each of the approaches to using an ePortfolios? List these on a flip chart or in a wiki.

• What might be barriers to ePortfolio implementation?

• What would be the issues that you would need to address if you were to in introducing an ePortfolio for your learners or institution?

• List these on a flip chart or in a wiki.

Task: Explore these sample ePortfolios

• ANYONE ABLE TO HELP US WITH SUPPLY OF SAMPLE DE-PERSONALISED ePORTFOLIOS?

• ONLINE examples

Helen Barret has developed a number of examples of e-Portfolios using different systems on her web site. 

• OFFLINE page copies stored in PDF format and linked to wiki HERE - ANYONE ABLE TO HELP WITH EXAMPLES??

Task: Feedback or Record what you have found out by looking at the ePortfolios.

• are their any common elememts or features?
• what are the differences between the Online and Offline ePortfolios?

Task: Design your own evaluation criteria for what makes a good ePortfolio. Your evaluation criteria should include:

• ease of use, how easy is it for the user to find the required evidence?
• what evidence is stored in them, what evidence is stored?
• is the evidence stored appropriate, does the evidence stored show or demonstrate what it says it does?

• possible applications, what could they be used for?

Task: Use your evaluation criteria to rate each of the ePortfolios:

Task: Think about what the stages that your learners go through when they are working on any coursework or portfolio work. Now think about what stages your learners would need to go through if they were using an ePortfolio to help them. They would:

• identify what they need to learn
• review evidence that they have already stored
• identify the evidence that they need to demostrate their competenceor learning
• think about when they might be able to collect the evidence that they need
• think about how, and what would be the most appropriate methods that they would need to use to capture and record the required evidence
• design anaction plan that details what it is that they will need to do or organise that will provide them with the evidence generating opportunities that they need. The plan will also identify how and when they are going to capture the evidence.
• do whatever they need to do and make sure that the evidence is recorded
• link the new evidence into the ePortfolio in such a way that it can be to retrieved and presented efficiently
• reflect on their learning and achievements

       START THE CYCLE again

Task: Watch this Presentation:  : the ePortfolio Process pdf Format

Discuss or record these questions:

• What are the different processes involved in developing an ePortfolio?
• how do these processes compare with those normally followed by your learners who do not use ePortfolios?

ePortfolio Process Diagram

Watch this short presentation Presentation: portfolio processes Presentation by Graham Attwell.

• do you agree with his definition of portfolio processes. If not, why?
• have any processes been missed out?
• Has he included processes you think should not be part of the ePortfolio development process?

Read these Blogg Posts:

• [1]
• [2]
• SOME MORE SOURCES PLEASE

Think about or Discuss: List your ideas on a flip chart, in a wiki or in your ePortflio

• Why is audience important?
• What interview or presentational situations might require a learner to use a presentational ePortfolio?
• Who could be the audience for each of these interview or presentational situations?
• Does the audience influence the style and format of the presentational ePortfolio that the learner designs?

It takes time for students to create and maintain an ePortfolio. It is important to provide learners with a reason for them to compile and maintain an ePortfolio. Without a good reason they will not want to 'waste' their time and effort.

As well as promoting the use of ePortfolios because they can support the learning process, the integration of use of high profile interview or presentational situations into a learners programme can often raise the value of the ePortfolio process in the students mind. This in turn will help to motivate them to set aside the time required to maintain the ePortfolio. The audiences gives 'value' to the process.

The developmental ePortfolio is generally used by the learner to store any evidence or artefacts that they think they might need for their purpose. They will collect something if they think it is appropriate and adds something to their existing ePortfolio.

The presentational ePortfolio will store the selected evidence or digital artefacts that the learner thinks that they will need for the interview or presentational situation. The audience and purpose of the interview or presentational situation will influence what evidence or digital artefacts they will select for their presentational ePortfolio.