| Case study Home Page | An overview of use | The implementation journey |
Brief overview of the organisation and the e-portfolio implementation journey:
In 2005, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) released the Sustaining the Momentum - Directions for Interoperability in the VET Sector report which highlighted the growing use of e-portfolios in education, training and employment. This led the Framework to undertake research into the policy and interoperability issues related to the use of e-portfolios in the Australian VET system, and the study showed the potential for e-portfolios to provide a systematic, electronic method for learners to record and control access to evidence of their learning.
In 2008, the Framework established the E-portfolios - Managing Learner Information business activity as part of its 2008-2011 Business Strategy. In 2009, the VET E-portfolio Roadmap, a national strategic plan designed to support the diverse requirements for e-portfolios in VET and aims to assist in the development of a standards-based approach to e-portfolios, was released.
Governance
The Framework is an e-learning strategy managed by the Flexible Learning Advisory Group (FLAG). FLAG is an advisory group to the Australian National Senior Officials Committee (NSOC) and provides key policy advice on national directions and priorities for information and communication technologies (ICT) in vocational education and training system (VET) and Adult and Community Education (ACE). FLAG is made up of a senior VET official from each State and Territory within Australia, together with ACE and School sector representatives, and is headed by a Chairperson with Executive support. The strategy is managed through a distributed funding model amongst the States and Territories, with offices in each jurisdiction. At the time of writing, the Framework was awaiting endorsement of a 2012-2015 VET E-learning Strategy.
Projects within the e-portfolios business activity are guided by the nine key goals from the VET E-portfolio Roadmap, deployed through annual work and finance plans and reports to the Framework's Leadership Programme Management Group. e-Portfolios fund projects and research activities through a competitive funding model.
Influential projects led by institution staff (internal and externally funded):
A number of research projects and trials have been undertaken to support the VET E-portfolio Roadmap which have been referred to in the implementation journey milestone table below.
References made to e-portfolios in institutional strategy docs:
As part of the third iteration of the Framework, the Flexible Learning Advisory Group included e-portfolios as a main priority for managing learner information as part of the the 2008 to 2011 Framework Strategy. The specific goal related to the implementation of e-portfolios for VET was: "A cohesive national infrastructure for managing learner information to support RPL (recognition of prior learning) and other transition processes" through agreement on national standards for e-portfolios. The E-portfolios - Managing Learner Information business activity (E-portfolios business activity) was created in 2008 to achieve this goal.
Implementation journey milestones
| Date | Event | Description and links to documentation where appopriate |
| 2005 |
Related Research - Sustaining the Momentum - Directions for Interoperability in the VET Sector Report |
Research undertaken by Mason & Galatis resulted in the 'Sustaining the Momentum – Directions for Interoperability in the VET Sector' research report and identified the potential use of e-portfolios for lifelong learners. One of the recommendations from this research report was that the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) should consider and possibly adopt interoperability specifications and standards associated with e-portfolios as a high priority. |
| 2007 |
Related Research - Developing e-portfolios for VET: Policy issues and interoperability Report |
Following on from the Mason & Galatis (2005) recommendations, the E-standards Expert Group (EEG) commissioned Curyer et al to undertake research which resulted in the 'Developing e-portfolios for VET: Policy issues and interoperability' research report. This report focuses on the way e-portfolios can support transitions between training, other forms of learning, and employment. The study showed the potential for e-portfolios to provide a systematic, electronic method for learners to record and control access to evidence of their learning. |
| 2008 |
Australian Flexible Learning Framework Strategy Document and the start of the E-portfolios business activity |
As part of the third iteration of the Framework, the Flexible Learning Advisory Group included e-portfolios as a main priority for managing learner information as part of the the 2008 to 2011 Framework Strategy. The specific goal related to the implementation of e-portfolios for VET was: "A cohesive national infrastructure for managing learner information to support RPL (recognition of prior learning) and other transition processes" through agreement on national standards for e-portfolios. The E-portfolios - Managing Learner Information business activity (E-portfolios business activity) was created in 2008 to achieved this goal. |
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E-portfolios Reference Group |
The E-portfolios Reference Group (ERG) provides input to E-portfolios business activity, and acts as the frontline stakeholder group by providing advice and support to the E-portfolios Business Manager. The ERG consists of the E-portfolios Business Manager, the E-standards for Training Manager and representatives from the following key stakeholder groups: industry, public and private training organisations, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), technical standards, schools, adult & community education (ACE) and higher education. Jurisdictional ratification of e-portfolios work is provided by the E-standards for TrainingE-standards Expert Group (EEG) |
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E-portfolios website & blog |
To help disseminate information about the E-portfolios business activity and related information, the following websites were created: E-portfolios Website: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/e-portfolios E-portfolios Blog: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/e-portfoliosblog |
| 2009 |
VET E-portfolio Roadmap & Reference model for VET e-portfolio systems |
To assist in the development of a national standards-based framework to support interoperable e-portfolio systems, the Framework developed the VET E-portfolios Roadmap (Roadmap) as a national strategic planning document to support the diverse requirements for e-portfolios across the Australian VET sector. The Roadmap contains a generic refence model or e-Framework consisting of four primary activities or business processes and related activities to summarise the typical activities or processes which occur in the development or creation of an e-portfolio system for the Australian VET sector (see page 5 of the Roadmap). |
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2009 Research Reports |
Following research undertaken in 2008 the following research reports were released: Managing Learner Information: important considerations for implementing e-portfolios in VET: This report considers the issues of ownership, privacy, verification, access control and security for e-portfolios in the Australian VET sector.
E-portfolios for RPL Assessment: This report is an environmental scan of the way e-portfolios are being used to support the RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) in the Australian VET sector and includes case studies of the use of e-portfolios for RPL. |
| 2009 E-portfolios Implementation Trials (EIT2009) |
Three VET training organisations were funded to implement an e-portfolio system which enables learners to move quickly and efficiently between education and training, employment and industry areas through the 2009 E-portfolios Implementation Trials (EIT2009) resulting in summaries, reports and resources. The key themes and findings of the EIT2009 trials are available here: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/e-portfoliosblog/?p=70 | |
| E-portfolio Concept brochures |
A series of six brochures designed to answer questions about the use of e-portfolios in the Australian VET sector for the following key stakeholders:
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| VET E-portfolios Showcase 2009 (VES2009) |
The inaugural VET E-portfolios Showcase 09 (VES09) was held Melbourne on Friday 16 October 2009 and attracted more than 140 VET teachers/trainers, managers and ICT professionals either at the actual event or by participating in free online sessions, to learn from some of the most highly regarded e-portfolio researchers and leaders. Recordings from the main presenters of this event are available. |
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| 2010 | 2010 Research Reports, and Positioning Papers |
Following research undertaken in 2009 the following research reports were released:
VET E-portfolios Privacy Impact Assessment Research Report: This report details a privacy impact assessment on the use of e-portfolio systems in the Australian VET sector.
Verifying VET Learner Attainment Data - 2010 positioning paper: This paper considers existing learner verification services and their relevance to the Australian VET sector, together with the verification needs of users of VET learner attainment data. |
| 2010 |
VET Privacy (draft) Guidelines and Resources |
The draft VET E-portfolios Privacy Guidelines include information and tools for e-portfolio service providers and managers of learner information to comply with privacy law obligations and assure learners of the security and confidentiality of their personal information in e-portfolio systems.
Three E-portfolios and Privacy concept guides were released to provide practical guidance and tools on managing learner privacy when using an e-portfolio and answer the detailed privacy questions for learners, teachers/trainers and training organisations:
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| 2010 E-portfolios Implementation Trials (EIT2010) |
The 2010 E-portfolios Implementation Trials (EIT2010) investigated the factors that contribute to the successful implementation of an e-portfolio system which supports learner transitions.
A midway report and some key general observations about these trials at September 2010 can be found on the E-portfolios blog. A recording of the Trial Project Leaders’ presentations about their 2010 EITs for the VET E-portfolios Community of Practice Online Event on 29 November 2010 is available at: https://sas.elluminate.com/p.jnlp?psid=2010-11-29.1722.M.E58F6EDFFA5FA3EDE727DCFB80FBD8.vcr&sid=2008350 |
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| VET E-portfolios Community of Practice (EpCop) |
To support the uptake of e-portfolios as a teaching, learning and recognition tool, the VET E-portfolios Community of Practice (EpCoP) is working towards supporting community based activities and the development of e-portfolio resources and support.
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| E-portfolios Australia Conference (EAC2010) |
Following on from the success of the VET E-portfolios Showcase in 2009 and the ALTC Australian ePortfolio Symposia in 2008/2009, the ePortfolios Australia Conference 2010 (EAC2010) brought together national and international educators and thought leaders to showcase current e-portfolio practice for adult & community education (ACE), VET and higher education for one of the first 'tertiary' events in Australia. EAC2011 is planned for October 2011 in Perth, Western Australia |
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| 2011 | E-portfolios Implementation Trials (EIT2011) |
The 2011 E-portfolios Implementation Trials (EIT2011) will investigate and identify the features of an e-portfolio system which supports workforce development requirements and/or improves learner participation. |
| Ongoing research and outputs |
Research and outputs to support the VET E-portfolio Roadmap around the Storage of Learner Content, Accessing VET Learner Attainment Data, and the effectiveness of LEAP 2A as an e-portfolio portability specification. Updates about this ongoing work will be available from the E-portfolios Resources webpage or by subscribing to the E-portfolios email list (by emailing Allison.Miller @ flexiblelearning.net.au and writing 'Subscribe to E-portfolios email list' in the subject line). |
