e-Portfolios in Successful HE Admissions
Overview
The project will build on the work of the e-Portfolio for Lifelong Learning (eP4LL) Reference Model Project. The next logical step in this development would be to implement a practical application of the model using an existing e-Portfolio system, with a view to learning lessons from a state-of-the-art implementation. The PortisHEad project will carry out this work using the PebblePad system. In addition the project will implement a ‘real life’ pilot version of the web services developed for the Reference Model Project, including the use of structured entry profiles for admissions to Higher Education (HE).
The project addresses the Schwartz report recommendations:
'to produce a more integrated service for applicants and specifically to facilitate … Transfer of information from applicants … Structuring the personal statement and reference, in particular through the insertion of course-specific prompts … Providing feedback to applicants'
Aims and objectives
The PortisHEad project will implement the integration of the PebblePad e-Portfolio system throughout the admissions process as an example of the ‘thin e-Portfolio model’ recommended by the eP4LL Project. We will review and amend existing business processes, so that the learner’s e-Portfolio can be placed at the centre.
In particular we will:
- Produce structured entry profiles for relevant University of Wolverhampton courses, where they do not currently exist;
- Revise current IAG and application management practices in feeder establishments and the University of Wolverhampton for the selected student groups;
- Enable electronic data transfer from the students’ e-Portfolio to the University via UCAS, linking into current UCAS centralised procedures;
- Provide feedback to applicants, to include assistance to those who are not successful;
- Improve induction mechanisms via further data transfer to populate the university e-Portfolios of successful students.
Project methodology
Using a case study approach the PortisHEad project will implement an extension of the e-Portfolio Reference Model to enable groups of students from feeder establishments and from the University of Wolverhampton to use their e-Portfolios to research, prepare and submit Higher Education applications via UCAS, to receive information, advice and guidance (IAG) about their applications from their school or college, to receive feedback from HE admissions staff and to form the starting point for enrolment and induction into an HE institution. Using the ‘thin e-Portfolio model’, based on Web Services and a service oriented approach, the project aims to put the learner, via the e-Portfolio, at the centre of the HE admissions process.
Anticipated impact
The project will enable a close coupling between the IAG and admissions processes on the one hand, and on the other, the applicants’ experience of learning through the IAG events and personal reflections that occur during the preparation, submission and assessment of their applications and onward through enrolment and induction into university life. The project will demonstrate the efficacy of fully electronic admissions, including faster processing and better integration of admissions processes than current systems.
Lead institution
Project partners
Project Staff
Project manager
- Alan Paull, APS Ltd, 58 Norton Wood, Forest Green, Nailsworth, Stroud GL6 0HG Tel: 01453 835009 alan@alanpaull.co.uk
Project team
- Dr Alison Halstead, Dean of Learning and Teaching, Portishead Consortium Co-chair, University of Wolverhampton celt@wlv.ac.uk
- Paul Travill, Academic Registrar, Portishead Consortium Co-chair, University of Wolverhampton p.travill@wlv.ac.uk
- Richard Ralph, Portishead Project Officer, University of Wolverhampton r.ralph@wlv.ac.uk
- Jill Johnson, Director of Policy and Communications, UCAS j.johnson@ucas.ac.uk
- Shane Sutherland, Portishead Executive and Technical Director, Pebble Learning Ltd shane@pebblelearning.co.uk
- Colin Dalziel, Operations Director, Pebble Learning Ltd colin@pebblelearning.co.uk
- Alan Paull, Portishead Project Manager, APS Ltd alan@alanpaull.co.uk