Internationalisation
Further Resources
e-Portfolios have the potential to act as a mechanism for meeting some of the Bologna objectives and assisting with the wider strategic aim of internationalisation. The Bologna Process aims to create a European Higher Education Area (EHEA) by 2010 and the European Diploma Supplement (EDS) as well as the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) are among the tools which aim to achieve greater transparency and comparability of qualifications, enable greater mobility and improve employability and lifelong learning.
Supporting schemes such as Europass have been developed to support mobility and recognition through five online, portfolio-style documents including the EDS which are freely available to learners across Europe. Work is being done at an international level to develop technical standards and improve interoperability to make initiatives such as Europass more effective, for instance through the RS3G group. The EPICS project undertook work with the Europass CV standard and was able to transfer XML data to and from the ePET system.
Internationalisation within curriculum design also increases mobility by enabling learners to gain an understanding of their subject within an international context. An example of this use of e-portfolios can be found in the work of the Centre of Excellence for Product and Automotive Design (CEPAD) CETL at Coventry University, capitalising on their international profile in automotive design. Through the use of computer technologies they have enabled design students to develop spatial intelligence within a culturally diverse and international context. The e-portfolios will be their passports to the community of practice of transport and product design. An international partnership provides professional engagement in project work and portfolio development and this is underpinned by pedagogic research into design.
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Bologna Process Action Lines
Adoption of a system of easily readable and comparable degrees Adoption of a system essentially based on two cycles Establishment of a system of credits Promotion of mobility Promotion of European co-operation in quality assurance Promotion of the European dimension in higher education Focus on lifelong learning Inclusion of higher education institutions and students Promotion of the attractiveness of the European Higher Education Area Doctoral studies and the synergy between the European Higher Education Area and the European Research Area |
