Report of the
STUDENT ePORTFOLIO PROJECT 28 May 2008
Executive Summary
The Teaching and Learning Fund Student ePortfolio project has successfully fulfilled it's obligations as set out in the project's aims and will be wound up at 30th June 2008.
"ePortfolio" is not just a tool, but a process of engaging students in activities that allow them to identify, reflect on and develop evidence of their developing Graduate Qualities and Professional Skills and to justify and explain their skills and qualities to others.
11 different student cohorts and a small group of staff engaged in this process in 2007, supported by their Faculty's academic and professional staff, who were in turn supported by the Project Manager and broadly by their peers in the ePortfolio Reference Group.
A University of Wollongong ePortfolio Community was launched on 13th May 2008 via the Inaugural ePortfolio Symposium to celebrate and share the diversity of approaches, activities and tools used by the 2007 and 2008 cohorts.
Future plans include working with the emerging National ePortfolio Community (developed and developing by the Carrick ePortfolio project), regular meetings of the UoW ePortfolio Community via CEDIR Academic Staff development programs.
To ensure that ePortfolio processes continue to be used to support the priority areas of the University's Strategic Plan for Teaching and Learning, a new ePortfolio working party of the eLearning and eTeaching Subcommittee of UEC will be established. The new working party will monitor, support and share good ePortfolio practice and oversee a mainstreaming of activities into recurrent funding and reporting structures.
About the project
ePortfolio tools and tasks at the University of Wollongong have been useful to make concrete and enable rich learning dialogues about the University’s Graduate Qualities and discipline-based Professional Skills, as well as meet particular learning outcomes in courses, particularly those with Work-integrated Learning components. These dialogues have been occurring staff-staff and staff-student since the project's inception in 2002, increasing in 2003-2004 with original ESDF funding, and building on that activity in 2006-2008 with the current project funding.
There have been 11 student cohorts and 1 staff group using ePortfolio in 2007, and more have been planned in 2008. Therefore the tool has assisted the general mission to raise “ePortfolio culture” on campus, as a pre-cursor to a plan for a planned/controlled wider-takeup, as recommended by AUQA. "Embed the Graduate Attributes into the curriculum and into teaching and assessment practices" (AUQA audit, 2007).
The aim is for quality not quantity. The UoW approach is for quality take-up and usage, not “we have 10, 000 ePortfolios but we think they have nothing much in them.” UoW has looked to customise and integrate the ePortfolio tools into the programs and curriculums of students.
Progress of the Student ePortfolio Project
|
Aims and activities |
Outcome |
| 1. Manage consultation and dissemination via a cross-campus Project Reference group and Faculty-based consultations, leading to ePortfolio tool customisation at a Faculty, School or Discipline level; | Complete. In session 1 2007 templates for the Blackboard Portfolio for Vista were customised and released for use by all Faculties on campus in consultation with the reference group. In addition, in session 2 2007 and session 1 2008 additional ePortfolio customisations were developed in common tools (especially Microsoft Word) to meet demand. |
| 2. Liaise with eTeaching Services and ITS to bring understanding of campus-wide needs to bear on the development or deployment of ePortfolio tools, and |
Complete. Regular meetings with eTeaching Services (now called eTeaching Systems) throughout the course of the project to identify and deal with issues. ITS were regular participants of the reference group representing cross campus interests and any additional relevant information forwarded to them. |
|
3. Manage development of guides and supports for Academic Integration of the ePortfolio in curriculum. |
Complete. Supports via Learning Design Unit standard support services to academic and professional staff tasked with ePortfolio in the Faculties. Development of cases in partnership with Reference Group for dissemination of good practice, and development/presentation of symposium and workshops. Bringing in external experts to talk with Reference Group and practitioners. Development of website to hold the developed resources including presentations delivered at the various staff development events. Links to the National Carrick ePortfolio project provide additional supports and resources. |
2007 cohorts
The 2007 cohorts of e-portfolio users (see Appendix for details) were:
2008 cohorts and plans
In addition to the continuation of most of the above projects, there are a number of new ePortfolio cohorts underway for 2008 including:
a major usage by the Careers Service as part of their Certificate of Global Workplace Practice, 250 international students undertaking an optional program on top of their regular program of study and involving the supported use of Word document ePortfolio (highly structured template);
development of an eLearning Space for the Law Faculty's Practicum Program, to provide online information, practicum placement application forms and contracts, and access to Word document ePortfolio (highly structured template) which replaces paper-based practicum journal previously used for assessment; and
2 subject based cohorts (Creative Arts, and Graduate School Business) modifying skills development/reflective practice assignments with ePortfolio.
A summary of plans for ePortfolio development across campus, especially in the light of the experience and evaluation of the 2007 cohorts include:
Further review of the 2007 experience (staff and/or student evaluation);
Reporting back to FEC and similar management forums to assist planning;
Continue with the 2007 experience, but planning for more/better orientation for students;
Bringing on more cohorts either in the same program or in different programs via Graduate Qualities/ePortfolio task mapping at the Faculty planning level; and
Trial new specialist tool (Pebblepad).
| Specialist tools |
Blackboard Portfolio for Vista; Faculty of Education ePortfolio; Clinical Log tool (GSM students only); iWebfolio (staff use only); Pebblepad (trial in 2008). |
| Common tools |
LMS (Blackboard Vista tools, especially journal and quiz); Word documents; Excel documents. |
Management of ePortfolio specialist tools
Student and staff user feedback from various evaluations have been forwarded by the Project Manager to ITS and they are managing the negotiations regarding licences with vendors/developers and UoW executive regarding funding. Due to the evaluation feedback and the lack of demand for use in 2008, a renewal of the licence for Blackboard Portfolio for Vista which expires on 30/5/08 is currently not planned. As noted above, a mixture of common tools and other specialist tools are currently meeting demand for supporting various ePortfolio tasks on campus. However as usage matures from subject to cross-course usage the demand for a comprehensive online specialist tool is anticipated to increase over the next 12-24 months, therefore trials of specialist ePortfolio tools will continue in 2008 and any recommendation made to eLearning Steering Committee in late 2008.
Continuing the ePortfolio mission within recurrent University funding
Strategic Plan for eLearning and Teaching provides impetus for electronic portfolio development related to Graduate Qualities and Work Integrated Learning
This will be achieved by:
ongoing professional development of 6 staff in the Learning Design Unit to ensure support for ePortfolio tasks can be incorporated into existing support service routines;
ongoing professional development of all UoW staff by annual ePortfolio symposium and sessional workshops managed by CEDIR academic staff development team;
dissemination of good practice (locally, nationally and internationally) and recommendations for additional ePortfolio activities to further the outcomes of the Strategic Plan for eLearning and eTeaching by ePortfolio working party of the eLearning and eTeaching Subcommittee of UEC;
linkages to the current review of the Information Literacies Introduction Program (ILIP) program and to the ongoing work of various Faculty based committees working to customise and articulate the UoW Graduate Qualities for Faculty/discipline specialities; and
steering review cycles and resourcing recommendations by the Vice-Chancellor's
eLearning Steering committee, including potentially the purchase/development
of additional specialist tool/s.
Appendix A
2007 cohorts
Services Marketing (MARK270)
Location in program: Bachelor of Commerce: Second year compulsory subject in the Marketing and Management strand
No of students: 300
Aim: To extend learning outcomes of existing assignment to include awareness of industry specific professional skills
ePortfolio
task: Skills check quiz
Final group project report
Supports
for the task: Skills-check tutorial task to help students focus on specific
Marketing skills required by employers
Week 4 lecture
Hands-on lab session (to give students class time to explore and populate
their own ePortfolio)
Tools used: Vista quiz tool for skills check assessment
Word doc template for group project report
Blackboard Portfolio tool offered but not taken up by most
Contact: Venkat Yanamandram, lecturer for MARK270 (venkaty@uow.edu.au) or Reetu Verma, Reference Group member for Commerce (reetu@uow.edu.au.)
Mechanical Engineering Design (MECH311)
Location in program: Bachelor of Engineering: Third year compulsory / elective subject in the Mechanical Engineering Major
No of students: 80
Aim: To extend existing assessment task to include awareness of industry specific professional skills via ePortfolio
ePortfolio
task: Option to upload final project report (assessed) to ePortfolio
Weekly design log task in eLearning Space (Students encouraged to save best
postings to ePortfolio)
Final Project presentation (Optional to use ‘binder’ in ePortfolio)
Supports for the task: Computer lab class (mid-way through session) allocated to introduce ePortfolio
Tools used: Group report Word document, Blackboard Portfolio for Vista
Contact: Richard Dwight (radwight@uow.edu.au)
Hollywood in Context (MACS337)
Location in program: Bachelor of Arts: Third year optional subject in the Media and Cultural Studies strand, students who do not have a strong career path
No of students: 108
Aim: To discuss professional skills and career development for students who are undertaking a broad degree with many possible career pathways
ePortfolio task: Tutorial discussion, ePortfolio use is optional but encouraged
Supports for the task: ePortfolio demonstrated in a lecture where students are encouraged to use the tool for personal career development.
Tutorial for some students (discussion of Graduate qualities in context of career development)
Cinema in Australia (MACS219)
Location in program: Bachelor of Arts: Second year optional subject in the Media and Cultural Studies strand
No of students: 174
Aim: To discuss professional skills and career development for students who are undertaking a broad degree with many possible career pathways
ePortfolio task: Tutorial discussion, ePortfolio use is optional but encouraged
Supports
for the task: Demonstrated in a lecture where students are encouraged
to develop a reflective portfolio of online participation
Tutorial activities
Tools used for both subjects: Blackboard Portfolio for Vista
Contact for both subjects: Kate Bowles (kate_bowles@uow.edu.au.)
Arts Internship (ARTS301)
Location in program: Bachelor of Arts: Third year elective subject in the Media and Cultural Studies strand. Co-taught by Arts and Careers Service.
No of students: 25
Aim: Bring together and integrate numerous career development tasks and outputs relating to work-placement project via ePortfolio
ePortfolio task: Supports students to collect and reflect on skills development occurring in work-placement project. Subject outcomes include: Internship report, ePortfolio and resume, Online journal in ePortfolio
Supports for the task: Demonstrated in a lecture/seminar and videoconferenced to five South Coast Education Centres
Tools used: Blackboard Portfolio for Vista and Word options offered
Contact: Glenn Mitchell (glenn_mitchel@uow.edu.au).
Reflective Practice 1 (GHMB950)
Location in program: Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences: Compulsory subject in Postgraduate course
No of students: 20
Aim: As a requirement of ongoing professional development health professionals need to provide portfolio evidence. The aim of including the ePortfolio tool in GHMB 950 was to assist the health professional students in the organisation and management of their professional portfolio resources. It was also anticipated that the ePortfolio would assist the students by providing innovative options for developing reflective resources
ePortfolio task: Optional use, ePortfolio pre-loaded with professional nursing skills inventory to help them collect and reflect on experience to assist with annual accreditation requirements
Supports for the task: Demonstrated in a class, but students had already explored on their own when it was released to them
Tools used: Blackboard Portfolio for Vista
Contact: Joanne Joyce (jjoyce@uow.edu.au)
Practical Legal Training
Location
in program: Compulsory Postgraduate units taught in block/online mode
for Law graduates who want to be admitted to the legal profession in NSW,
Australia
No
of students: 60
Aim:
To develop and assess students’ file management skills
ePortfolio
task: Document repository to evidence file management skills by organising
documents prepared as part of the course into an electronic filing system
Supports
for the task: Lecture and hands-on ePortfolio orientation workshop at
first on-campus block teaching session. Continuing on-line support through
the eLearning Mail Tool
Tools
used: Blackboard Portfolio for Vista
Contact:
Debbie Langton (dlangton@uow.edu.au)
Graduate School of Medicine (GSM)
Location in program: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery: Used throughout the program
No of students: 80
Aim: Bring together and integrate numerous skill development tasks and outputs for the purposes of monitoring student progress and accreditation.
ePortfolio task: Students enter details of their clinical experiences, reflecting on their learning needs and strategies to address these and mapping them to the course’s predefined learning outcomes. These can then be the source for longer reflection assignments. Students expected to use it particularly during their clinical placements.
Supports
for the task: Introduction early in the course
Hands-on session provided to explore the tool, ongoing development of other
class and practicum-based tasks to re-inforce reflection upon skills development
Tools used: Clinical Log tool, journal tool in Blackboard Portfolio for Vista Contact: Martin Olmos (molmos@uow.edu.au)
Careers Service Programs
Location in program: Students in the Black Opal Leadership & Careers Service Interns programs are from any discipline, they opt in to the program on top of their course of study.
No of students: 300
Aim: To gain additional experience to add to CV to assist with getting jobs
ePortfolio task: Reflect on the extra skills learnt via the project/s of the program
Supports for the task: Face to face group tutorials and workshops, individual email support
Tools used: Blackboard Portfolio for Vista, especially the journal tool
Faculty of Education
Location in program: Available to all students in faculty. Roll-out was initially with first year program.
No of students: approx - 400 students
Aim: Bring together and integrate numerous skill development tasks and assignments for the purposes of students monitoring and reflecting on their progress, gathering evidence towards professional accreditation by New South Wales Institute of Teachers (NSWIT) upon graduation. Courses designed to support the understanding and attainment of NSWIT standards
ePortfolio task: Students show how they are meeting the aspects within the graduate teacher stage of the Professional Teaching Standards
Supports for the task: ePortfolio introduction to EDPD101 students. Workshops held for staff and students.
Tools used: Specialist ePortfolio tool developed by emLab in collaboration with the Faculty of Education.
Contact: Ian Olney (ian@uow.edu.au)
Staff ePortfolio
No of staff: 10 involved in 2007, more in 2008 with workshops planned
Aim: Provide staff with opportunities to develop a career portfolio, gathering evidence and reflecting on the full spectrum of academic work (teaching, research, governance, professional activity) for personal career goals and academic development
ePortfolio task: Collectionof and reflection on career evidence. Opportunity for the collaborative development of evidence, and feedback via sharing with others
Supports: Face to face consultations and workshop with staff regarding career development. ePortfolio is an optional tool to support awards, grants, promotion and probation (esp “teaching portfolio” for probation of staff on fixed term contracts)
Tools used: Excel spreadsheet, iWebfolio
Contact: Dr Christine Brown, chris_brown@uow.edu.au
2008 cohorts
Graduate Certificate in Global Workplace Practice
Location in program: Students in the program are international students from priority areas, they opt in to the program on top of their course of study.
No of students: 250
Aim: Bring together and integrate numerous career development tasks and outputs relating to work-experienece and job preparation program via ePortfolio
ePortfolio task: Practice writing skills-based job applications and a mock job interview (videoed for feedback.) ePortfolio used to prepare for these major tasks.
Supports for the task: Topics taught in weekly seminars prepare students in all aspects of workplace skills. ePortfolio provides opportunity to evidence this, including skills snapshot and confidence rating as well as the opportunity to reflect via CARL framework.
Report by Sarah Lambert with input from, and on behalf of the Project Reference Group.
May 2008