With the implementation of Moodle [1] at Eng College well under way, students are becoming more active and proficient in the production of electronic course work and evidence of achievement. It would be a logical progression to now introduce an eportfolio system to complement Moodle. Batson (2002), states,'Electronic portfolios have a greater potential to alter higher education at its very core than any other technology application we have known thus far'. It is perhaps a unfortunate that their implementation has taken this long to be considered by Eng College.
Many students at Eng College are expected to compile evidence of learning and coursework. This is currently produced in paper form with additional practical tasks dependant on the course of study taken.
'An eportfolio is a purposeful aggregation of digital ideas, evidence, reflections, feedback etc, which presents a selected audience with evidence of a person's learning an/or ability'. Sutherland, S and Powell, A. (2007).
The introduction of the eportfolio system would mean that an electronic repository of information would be gradually produced during the course, tutors would have access to material when required and feedback could be given. This would help to encourage students to further develop their portfolios in order to reach the required standard.
Not only would students see there work develop during the course they would also have access to the information after the course and most importantly when they return for the next training phase. At Eng College a course would last around twelve months and students would return after field experience to complete the next stage, advancing further their qualifications. It is a unique college that encourages lifelong learning and provides its students with both a career path and employment.
Staff and Tutors would be able to play a more proactive role in the students development and it would be easier to spot a student that was falling behind on coursework. The implementation of an eportfolio system would also encourage:
- reflective practice
- individual learning plans
- a better understanding of the course contents
- students to form a community and support each other
- tutors to introduce learning more appropriate to a digital age
- a reduction in the amount of paper based material and evidence
There are a number of possible applications that can be used to produce an eportfolio. The fact that we are currently using Moodle may well influence the choice. However I would recommend using Google Docs. The main reason for this choice is the flexibility this gives the students. An eportfolio is owned by the students and this choice would leave the students in full control of the contents. I am confident that they would also make use of the many additional web 2.0 applications that google has to offer. Students today naturally expect to encompass blogs wikis and social networking into there student life.
To encourage students to create a portfolio within the college network would mean the contents would not be available after their course has been completed, unless students take steps to export their data. This rules out portfolio tools such as PebblePad[2] and similar systems, Google is both free and open source.
By adopting this approach we maintain the course structure and management within the college system but we are encouraging the students take control of their eportfolio and more importantly their own lifelong learning.
References
Batson, T. (2002) ‘The electronic portfolio boom: what’s it all about?’ (online), Campus Technology. Available from: http://campustechnology.com/articles/2002/11/the-electronic-portfolio-boom-whats-it-all-about.aspx (accessed 10 July 2009).
Sutherland, S. and Powell, A. (2007), Cetis SIG mailing list discussions [www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/cetis-portfolio.html] 9 July 2007
[1] Moodle is a Course Management System (CMS) It is a Free web application that educators can use to create effective online learning sites. http://moodle.org/
[2] PebblePad is a Personal Learning System being used in learning by schools, colleges, universities and professional bodies. http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/
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