E-portfolios are web or computer based assessment and verification systems that provide a password controlled environment where learners store evidence that is accessible to trainers, assessors, verifiers, employers and awarding bodies any time and anywhere.Learners can upload text documents, digital pictures and audio and video clips to their e-portfolio that the assessor can view to make assessment decisions. In addition to the management of portfolio evidence and assessment, some packages offer administrative features that interface with provider’s management’s information systems. There are many mechanisms for producing e-portfolios. They can be:
- Digital storage of evidence organised in folders and sub-folders relating to a qualifications structure; units, elements, performance criteria and knowledge
- Open source modules structured to the qualification and stored on a virtual learning environment
- Commercially supplied systems for “off the shelf” purchase
- Post or page structures within Blogs and Wikis
Some benefits of using an e-portfolio system:
- Reduction in the burden of producing and storing paper-based portfolios
- Saving of resources and cutting of costs
- Easier management of the assessment and internal verification processes
- Can lead to increased retention and achievement
- Facilitates a wider variety and more authentic forms of assessment and accreditation
- Helps learners take control of their learning and assessment and improves motivation
- Improved progress tracking for the learner, provider and employer
- Improved identification of learner needs
Useful Documentation
E-Assessment: Guide to Effective Practice covers the use of both e-testing and the use of e-portfolios for assessment. The four UK Qualifications regulators developed the guide in consultation with awarding bodies and providers in different parts of the UK. It is intended to help staff to understand the key issues involved in using e-portfolios, put in place appropriate systems and supporting processes and ensure that people have, or acquire, the requisite skills to manage and use the systems efficiently and effectively. It also includes a series of documents containing tables, checklists, process guides and other resources that may be copied and used by WBL providers.
What Work Based Learning Providers are Saying about E-portfolios has been sourced from feedback to RSCs, The Excellence Gateway, ALP and City and Guilds.
NVQ Portfolio Assessment methods – Alternatives to current practices – This research, commissioned by the Association of Colleges in the Eastern Region (ACER), set out to evaluate the current NVQ paper-based assessment system within the Train to Gain scheme, and to identify and investigate any viable alternatives to the current method of portfolio compilation. Investigation into alternative forms of assessment pointed to one option – electronic portfolios (e-portfolios). The report covers:·
- e-Portfolio Comparison with Paper-based Systems
- e-Portfolios: Considerations, Obstacles and Solutions
- Profiling e-Portfolio Providers
- Conclusions and Recommendations
OCR’s Getting Started with E-portfolio Guide
JISC RSC’s list of E-portfolio Suppliers
If you are interested in implementing an e-portfolio system or are presently working with e-portfolios join the e-Portfolios group