JISC

Final project report

The project will develop and pilot an e-portfolio model for use with adults engaged in learning in the workplace who require flexible access to Higher Education and flexible delivery which supports progression within the context of lifelong learning. This model will be disseminated to the wider education environment as a solution which institutions can use and adapt for their own purposes.

Loughborough College has developed the use of Moodle open source software to develop the use of a learning environment for mainstream students in College, and we have linked it to our MIS (Management Information System) using SQL databases to allow the flow of student information from the enrollment process through into the system.

We have also developed an e-progress file as an outcome of a successful JISC project, which allows full time students and their tutors to record their personal and academic progress through their college course, which is currently based on the use of asp and SQL databases.

We have had over 400 management trainees in Luminar Leisure Industries who are working in diverse geographical locations throughout the country. We have developed an online administration system to enable staff in managing training events online assignment submission and marking, and would look to develop this further and integrate it into an e-portfolio model.

The project team will work with partners in the HE sector including The University of Nottingham and the CULN (Colleges and University of Leicester Network) and build on the lessons learnt from JISC funded projects particularly eP4LL (e-Portfolio for Lifelong Learning Reference Model Project), RIPPLL (Regional Interoperability Project on Progression for Lifelong Learning) and the current JOSEPH (Joining up Organisations to Support new Engineering Pathways into Higher Education).

The project will enable learners to:

• Pick up on line resources and download learning materials – this is already available in our Moodle environment 
• Move seamlessly to associated sites of interest in relation to their learning programme through weblinks on the page – links within College Moodle environment using a web-browser
• Track their own progress and set targets including assignment work - in use in the Luminar administration online environment - but requires further work to develop in Moodle for the e-portfolio model
• Book onto course events such as seminars and training days – in use in the Luminar administration online environment – but requires further work to develop using Moodle for the e-portfolio model    
• Manage their calendar for appointments and deadlines – already available in the college Moodle environment 
• Email progress tutors and other students - already available in the college Moodle   
• Join on line discussions via the message board – using Web2 collaborative software already available in the college Moodle   
• Reflect, review and evaluate self progress and achievement via PDP and CPD - in use in the College e-progress file for full time students, but needs further development to work in Moodle for the e-portfolio  
• Take their e-portfolio onwards to use as a showcase when moving on in their career

LoughboroughCollege will work with the existing e-portfolio systems developed by the Open University and Massey University Auckland trialing them with various groups of students both internal and external to the college and will evaluate these systems and implement further development where necessary.

 Luminar Leisure will aid in the trial of this system with their employees.

 NottinghamUniversity will act as a consultant regarding the development of e-portfolio systems.

 RNIB will act as a consultant regarding accessibility of any system developed.

 Anticipated outputs and outcomes

 Outputs

• create an e-portfolio model using open source software (Moodle) linked to key information within the College Management Information System (MIS) using SQL databases, joining up and recognising learner’s experience in work and personal development, and recording it as part of the educational experience   
• produce an e-portfolio which is transferable across platforms and work with partners to ensure interoperability working towards new UKLeap and IMS LIP standards in line with the work at CETIS   
• develop an e-portfolio model for HE work-based learners within the Further Education environment, in particular for Foundation Degrees across specified curriculum areas and evaluate with tutors and learners   
• disseminate the e-portfolio model to the wider educational community via the good practice groups such as JISC, NILTA and CULN   
• create a final report for dissemination through the JISC community.

 Outcomes

• support Personal Development Plans for individuals in work and evaluate with learners using the e-portfolio model   
• enable accessibility through working with TechDis and in partnership with the RNIB Vocational college to ensure best practice in accessibility in the development of the model, including the development of ACCLIP standards   
• promote and trial the use of e-portfolios with new learners in the work-place