JISC

A key requirement for the initiatives being announced by the UK Government is the development of open standards to support lifelong learning. The DTI funded the development of UK LeaP as a general British Standard arising from the work of CETIS LIPSIG: a specific standard for ePortfolio could further reduce the cost and complexity of implementation. Schools and colleges have not had funds to match those available for sustained development of PDP in HEIs; there is a need to develop a closer understanding of the processes in schools and colleges by which learners are supported to prepare for transitions, to FE and to university, and the further processes around induction, retention and preparation for employment. A single market for education and employment is emerging in Europe, and this project will seek to develop partnerships with European colleagues as the basis for work towards a European standard including international pilots of the Diploma Supplement to which other ePortfolio objects could then be added.

Aims and Objectives

The overall aim of the project is to produce a reference model of an ePortfolio capable of providing and receiving services from other ePortfolios in other episodes of learning, and of facilitating admissions and transitions between study and employment at different levels. It will test the proposition that the pattern underlying ePortfolio services provided for transition at different stages of education and employment is essentially repeated, thus reducing the complexity and cost while increasing the practicability of implementation for Lifelong Learning.

Objectives

1. To develop iterations and support pilots of the model
   • two full iterations of the model (Y11–Y12 and undergraduate to taught postgraduate courses)
   • three partial iterations (Y13–HE undergraduate, Y13–work, HE–work)
   • within funding limits, further pilots extending project activities to further areas of Lifelong Learning
2. To scope the level of granularity at which PDP services should be expressed, covering
   • application from school to college at Y11 and induction to Y12 college
   • transfer of ePortfolio materials from college for induction to PDP at University
   • application from undergraduate to taught postgraduate university study, using the Diploma Supplement already profiled for CEDEFOP
3. To propose, test and publish iteratively an evolving methodology by which the initial model can be progressively extended and developed, taking specific account of the practicalities of implementation
4. To enhance the reference model prototype and build consensus by supporting other JISC projects and partners from a range of sectors to contribute their approaches and/or pilot its implementation, through a programme of consultation and co-ordination workshops.
5. To report on the scope of further work required to produce a full reference model, taking adequate account of the other main uses of ePortfolio, namely: supporting transitions to employment, use in early years education, supporting progress within episodes of study or employment, and use by the individual to integrate their learning across sectors and/or across time.

Project Methodology

Work will begin from existing scenarios and pilots developed by the Specifying an ePortfolio project (part of the JISC MLE programme). A prototype reference model will be based on use cases of the PDP in schools required for application to college and the PDP process for transition to HE. Application to Masters courses will cover both PDP and the application process. The standard pattern for an iteration comprises:

• Requirements gathering, leading to development of scenarios and use cases
• Logical representation of requirements using UML and XML to identify discrete service components
• Aggregation of component services to provide abstract models as a basis for specific implementations
• Consultation, both web-based and through workshops
• Pilots of WSDL where appropriate
• Phasing and implementation, scoping which services can be delivered and how
• Publication of resources generated as a basis for implementations

Implications/ Deliverables/ Stakeholders

The project will produce a tested methodology by which the reference model can be developed further, described in a formal publication for the use of the ePortfolio community. There will be a series of events to support consultation and dissemination, reference implementation reports for the two full iterations. An ePortfolio Reference Model overview statement and report will be based upon and review the documentation for each iteration. Outcomes will include the integration of ePortfolio developments in the UK with cognate developments being taken forward by partners elsewhere in the EU, and a report on further work required to develop a full reference model.

Project Partners
University of Nottingham (lead institution)
Peter Rees Jones, Convenor, CETIS LIPSIG
Nottingham Passport
Ufi/learndirect
A reference group comprising representatives from:
TELCERT
European SchoolNet
CEDEFOP
University partners in other EU member states
QCA
CRA
CETIS Enterprise SIG
CETIS FE Focus Group
UCISA
Becta
DfES