Table 1: Exemplars of e-portfolio use (White= no evidence found, green = developing practice, blue = effective practice).

Select the links to the exemplars in the table

Table 1 provides an overview of implementation and links to examplars of effective e-portfolio use. Effective use was judged using the ePI framework.

Personal Development Module Year 1 Business Studies. The first use of Mahara at Birmingham City University - 2009: New first-year undergraduate students (level 4) taking business related degrees at Birmingham City Business School, study a compulsory (15 credit weighted) module called Personal Development. This module covers all the business skills you would expect to find on course of this kind: what is learning, managing your time, presentation skills, working with others, IT skills, developing written skills, numeracy and action planning. Students produce 4 views (electronic pages) using e-portfolio 'Mahara'. One view, a view for their tutor, is used as formative assessment; the other three views, one for a potential employer, a PDP (Personal Development Planning) view and a social view are summative assessment. Examples of these views for one student and a video of this student talking about their experience are shown in this exemplar.

Action Research within PGCE Primary & Early Years Teacher Education Course. Use of Mahara in Education - 2010 : Students on the PGCE Primary and Early Years Teacher training course carry out a piece of action research during their final teaching practice designed to engage them in a critical and self critical enquiry process. The e-portfolio 'Mahara' enables students to present the results of that research as a portfolio of materials serving differing purposes. Example of use of Mahara within the course is shown.

MBA Study Skills module. Futher use of Mahara in the Business School - 2010: Postgraduate students on the MBA course are required to pass a zero weighted module called Enhancing Business and Management Skills. This module has two components, each spanning a semester. In the first semester, students explore the skills expected of a business manager and the skills necessary for successful study. In the second semester, students explore the skills necessary for managing a dissertation. The first component is assessed using an e-portfolio (Mahara) and the second by a research proposal. Students need to pass both components for the award. There is no mark from this module (passing is the requirement) and the level of the award is determined by the marks achieved in other modules. Examples of these views for one student and a video of this student talking about their experience are shown in this exemplar.

Skills module Year 1 Law. Use of Mahara in a Law degree - 2010: New first-year undergraduate students (level 4) taking the LL.B (Hons) Law degree study a compulsory (30 credit weighted) module called Skills, Processes and Scholarship. This module aims to provide students with a basic knowledge of the principal features of the English Legal System as well as developing many of the practical lawyering, study and employability skills required by students throughout their legal education and into employment. Personal development planning and self-reflection are important features of the module. Students are required to produce an e-portfolio using Mahara that demonstrates, (amongst other things), competence in legal research, language and communication and skills of analysis of legal texts. The submission of the e-portfolio is the summative assessment for this module.