Enhancing Learner Progression
Lead Contact: Carol Higgison, C.Higgison@bradford.ac.uk
JISC Programme: Distributed e-Learning programme
Lead Institution and Partners: University of Bradford (L), University of Leeds, Leeds Metropolitan
Project Dates: March 2005 - December 2006
This case study illustrates Application, Application to Education, Assessment, Assessment Feedback, Assessment for Work-Based Learning, Supporting Learning Processes, Researching Information, Presentation, Widening Participation
Background & Context
What is the background to the e-portfolio initiative?
The use of e-portfolios in support of learning and teaching is rapidly increasing in the post-14 education sectors in the UK. National policies continue to drive this expansion particularly in support of delivering Progress Files. The ELP (Enhancing Learner Progression) project grew out of the project partners' commitment to widening participation in Higher Education and lifelong learning. The partners wanted to exploit the potential offered by e-portfolios to engage increasing numbers of learners in more flexible and accessible ways through their lifelong learning journey, delivering support effectively and efficiently.
What was the purpose and intended outcomes of the initiative?
HEFCE's Student Lifecycle Model provided the focus of the project - using e-portfolios to support students at key transition points. The ELP project chose to evaluate the potential of e-portfolios in supporting students at three of these transition points (or contexts):
- Access to Higher Education from school and Further Education
- Transfer to workplace settings from university for employment, placement or vocational/professional training
- Transfer between institutions by moving between courses
The overall objectives were to:
- Facilitate wider participation in HE by raising aspirations and attainment through the use of an integrated e-support environment that helps students piece together and manage their learning in a range of institutional, work-based and informal settings
- Facilitate student progression into work by enhancing the student experience in work-based placements through the use of e-portfolios
- Support and develop staff in the use of e-portfolio systems and help them guide and mentor students who will be using the e-portfolio systems
- Promote greater interaction amongst learners
- Establish and share good practice in e-support including developed resources
- Test portability and transferability of e-portfolio content through different e-portfolio systems.
The aim of the continuation period (July-Dec 2006) was to embed the e-portfolio use into the partners' institutional policies and practices, particularly in support of access to Higher Education.
How was the initiative implemented?
The project chose a case study approach as the most appropriate method to capture the complex and rich stories of learner experiences. Six case studies were identified across the three contexts using two different technical e-portfolio platforms - PebblePad and Bodington LogBook. Different audiences across different subject disciplines were represented in each context, including medicine and healthcare, nursing and life sciences.
Context 1: Access to HE from School or FE College
This focused on the use of PebblePAD e-portfolio system and e-portfolio content in Bodington with sixth form/FE students on the various Compact/Access schemes. Through questionnaires and interviews with staff and students in schools/colleges and relevant quantitative measures, the project looked at whether students are better prepared for transition into Higher Education, what effect e-portfolios are having on aspirations and entry into HE, what aspects of e-portfolios aid pre-entry support and technical issues relate to transferability of e-portfolio information.
Case studies:
- Using an e-portfolio to support learner progression into Higher Education (users: Year 12 students)
- Adapting an existing paper portfolio supporting progression into Higher Education (users: Students in 1st year of level 3 (A-level equivalent) studies.)
- Preparation for UCAS Application to Medicine and Other Healthcare Courses (users: Year 12/13 students)
Context 2: HE to work-based setting
This context focused on the use of e-portfolio tools within Bodington for students studying professional healthcare qualifications. e-Portfolio tools were piloted with students during their work-based placements and those doing postgraduate professional qualifications.
Case studies:
- Work-place Assessments (users: Pre-registration House Officers)
- e-Portfolios as Progress File for Undergraduate and Postgraduate Nursing Students (Users: Undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students)
Context 3: Transfer between HEIs
The aim was to assess the needs of students who may be transferring between institutions and the issues of moving their e-portfolio between institutions. This involved consultation with the department staff within each University, students who have previously transferred and students who may soon be transferring.
Case studies:
- Transferring e-portfolios between Institutions (Users: Foundation year healthcare students)
Overall evaluation focused on determining the impact of e-portfolios on the learner and those responsible for supporting the learner (tutors, supervisors, mentors).
Further information on each of the contexts and related case studies is available on the project website and Final Report (See Further Resources).
