Introducing the electronic
Portfolio at London Metropolitan
University – the story so far
Talk at Surrey University 31/5/07
Peter Chalk, London Metropolitan
University Undergraduate Scheme
LondonMet student characteristics
• Mostly:
– Mature, local, vocational
– First in family to go to university
– Non-standard qualifications
• Employability is very important
• Key skills, critical thinking and reflective
writing skills needed
LondonMet PDP framework
• Principles
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Embedded in core modules at C, I, H levels
‘PDP related assessment’ in cores:
HEO (‘skills’) at Certificate level
Employability (CV) at Intermediate level
Project/dissertation (graduation statement) at
Honours level
– All modules should ‘relate’ to PDP
LondonMet PDP 0405-0607
• Essentially a paper booklet downloadable
from the web as a whole or in sections:
• www.londonmet.ac.uk/ugstudy/pdp
• Each level/semester has several sections,
scaffolded more at C level, eg:
– Start of course
– Early self assessment, etc etc
Choosing an electronic Portfolio
• During 0506 we considered need for
– Online storage and viewing by tutor etc
– Supporting web-based portfolio & tools
– Diploma supplement (Bologna) – transcript
with attached statement (plus CV etc??)
• Options
– Integrate eVision/ SITS (our SRS)
– Purchase existing ePortfolio, eg PebblePad
– Alternative that fits our Portal/MLE strategy
Decision
• The decision was to pilot during 0607-0708
the Blackboard WebCT Vista Portfolio
because
– This had been chosen for our main VLE
upgrade from WebCT 4 (branded WebLearn)
– Other universities had reported its adoption,
Edinburgh, Birmingham…
– It seems to offer some attractive features…
First pilot 0607 Spring
• February entry students on BSc Computing
• Cohort of approx. 20 students
• Already doing extensive PDP related
activity: journal, online discussion, group
research
• Asked module leader to include WebLearn
Portfolio as additional resource
What’s in the WebLearn
(BlackBoard) ePortfolio?
• Integration with WebLearn modules
– Artefact saving (file storage area)
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Binders, including a multimedia gallery
Blog/ discussion & calendar
Goal setting & recording, evidence linked
Guest reviewer facility (can track guests)
CV (resumé) tool
Blackboard example – what may be possible
Options for initial templates
• Portfolios are created when student first
enrolled and remain throughout course
• Choice of template/ customisation?
– No template at all
– Fully populated template
– Compromise:
Resources only template
No template at all
• Advantages:
– Student ‘owns’ the design from the start
– Student may simply link to external Portfolio
• Disadvantages
– Choice of tools to choose is unclear and can’t
be changed
– Would contain no guidance and may need
external web site support as well
No template – set up page
No template – blank starter Portfolio – view
No template – blank starter Portfolio + link – build
Fully populated template
• For example, based on the University PDP
www.londonmet.ac.uk/ugstudy/pdp
• Advantages
– Gets student started, shows PDP stages
• Disadvantages
– Can appear that there’s little to do
– Uniform appearance, may be too complex
Fully populated template
Portfolio blog (share with tutors…?)
Resources only template
• Advantages
– Allows student creativity or link to outside
Portfolio
– Includes resources for getting started
– Includes tools, useful files, setting up of blog..
• Disadvantages
– Can’t see any yet…
Resources only template –
simulate guest view
Resources only - Build Portfolio
CV (Resumé) tool – edit in place or upload file
WebLearn integration
• In WebLearn modules, tool to save as
artefact to Portfolio:
– Discussion, e.g. as evidence of attaining goal
– Assessment, e.g. to discuss feedback
– My Grades, e.g. to evaluate progress
• Drawback
– Calendars are not integrated
WebLearn module ‘Save to Portfolio’ tool
(artefact saved to Portfolio file store)
Supporting Resources
1 Getting Started (HTML file)
2 Guide to Portfolio Tools (Edinburgh)
3 eLearning Resources (RLOs)
4 Reflective Writing Guidance
5 University PDP Web Site
6 Example Feedback Action Plan Form
7 Example Portfolios
Edinburgh Uni Guide (permission given to use)
Results of Spring semester 0607 pilot
• Why I can’t show you an example…
– Started late
– Did not integrate into module learning and
teaching
– Presented as an add-on
– Not linked to PDP related assessment
– Students did not use it by choice
– Added me as guest but did not create new
content
Conclusions from pilot
• Essential to
– Integrate ePortfolio into L&T strategy
– PDP-related assessment must involve creating and
sharing content in WebLearn Portfolio
– Spend time showing students how to use tools
– Encourage artefact saving in all modules
– Use blog to engage student with tutors
– Use CV tool with Careers Service etc etc
• Template – minimal to encourage engagement?
The template options
• Options:
– Blank template
– Fully populated university PDP template
– Resources only template
• Need to consider:
– Customisation/ tailoring/ administration
– Pilots for Autumn 0708
The Autumn pilot options
How these may best be identified so as to best
represent LondonMet aspirations?
For example, should the Autumn semester pilots:
– use Certificate level module only?
– be HEO modules only?
– sample from across the first semester modules (to
explore integration opportunities in a course)?
– sample across the three core spine modules?
– be contained within a range of modules taken
from one subject area?
Current LondonMet position
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Staff are being introduced to WebLearn
Pilots have run during 0607
A range of Portfolio pilots will run in 0708
A comprehensive programme of staff
training is in place for summer 2007
• Several learning & teaching events are
discussing eLearning outcomes & options
Technical issues & systems
integration
• Integrating Portfolio, Blackboard with
Student Records System
– Administration of templates and allocation to
student groups by course/ module code
– Importing into Portfolio, e.g. course learning
outcomes
– Exporting from Portfolio to public platform,
e.g. CV
– Incorporating Web 2 services, e.g. student’s
personal space