Resources

It is commonly accepted that the use of E-portfolios can provide a useful record of achievement for learners. They are also useful as a learning aid when used as a learner’s reflective journal. If they are used in integration with other applications and processes they have proven benefits to learning and training providers supporting assessment of evidence required for a work-based qualification.

A summary of benefits from case study WBL and FE providers, along with a review of the current literature on e-portfolios can be accessed from this menu.

Managers are often asked to make a business case to justify the expenditure on a new system such as an e-portfolio and to identify the savings that are expected. This cost-benefit analysis framework has been developed in consultation with 3 WBL providers in the East of England who have extensive experience in the use of e-portfolios with their Train to Gain clients.

You can use this framework as part of your planning process and to inform decision-making.

Several government agencies have undertaken research into the use of e-portfolios (e.g. Becta, and JISC).

In addition to the search and report tools on this website, you might like to visit the JISC Regional Support Centre in the Northwest website, which has produced a useful summary of the different types of e-portfolio available and some questions to think about when choosing a new system.

You can access their emagazine here

A strategy template has been designed by Ofqual to assist organisations in the development of their e-assessment strategy.

The template takes the form of key questions, allowing you to record your answers and any action plans required.

Many awarding bodies are now accepting evidence from learners using e-portfolios. Working with the awarding bodies, Ofqual has initiated a process to develop a set of protocols that will help to ensure that, as centres introduce e-portfolio systems, they can be confident that the system being introduced will be accepted by the awarding bodies they work with. This will also support many centres that are working with multiple awarding bodies to enable them to agree a single system that will be accepted by all.

Both documents can be accessed from this menu.

The most current summary of the roles and responsibilities of other key staff involved in the use of e-portfolios is to be found in 'E-Assessment: Guide to Effective Practice' published by the QCA in 2007.
The Guide contains a staff requirement checklist which can be adapted for planning the implementation and use of an e-portfolio in your institution. The checklist identifies the following key roles:

• Management (overall strategy, policies and accountability for e-portfolios)
• Administration (responsibility for operational systems and processes)
• Technical support (responsibility for the technology and/or access to appropriate external support)
• Working with the learner (maximising the potential for success though the use of an e-portfolio)
• Assessment and verification of evidence submitted through an e-portfolio)

For each of these roles, the required knowledge, skills and authority are summarised in the E-Assessment Guide with examples where appropriate. The full Guide can be accessed here.

There are a few technical points you should consider when choosing an e-portfolio system:

Roles and Responsibilities: Technical support to both staff and learners are critical to the successful implementation of e-portfolios

Equipment: If your assessors are going out to the employer site, what sort of technology will they need e.g. Laptops, Electronic Notebooks, PDAs etc.
Will there be internet connectivity? Or will they need to save information and update information about trainee progress later?

Overhead: What is the total cost of owning the technology? What is the best for you - to buy outright or lease?

Digital Storage: – Where will the information be stored, who will manage backups and data security?

Keeping pace: - Will any of your people need additional support and training? Will they need to keep up to date with changes?