using an e-portfolio

On the PGCAP we are using an e-portfolio tool to enable you to keep a learning log or diary, gather notes and ideas, collate media-rich resources, etc. The e-portfolio tool we will be using is called Mahara. Mahara’s strengths include the collection and organisation of reflections and evidence by you, as an individual learner and we will be encouraging you to structure your e-portfolio around the Dimensions of Practice in the UK Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF).

Mahara offers the full functionality of an e-portfolio system, including a journal tool, file storage, integration of external media, and planning tools. Mahara acts as a ‘walled garden’: a reflective space which is private to you and controlled by you. This is a clear strength of the tool, in supporting your reflective learning. However, when you are ready, you can share your reflections in a managed way with others, such as with tutors and/or peers, or beyond the institution, and facilitating review, critique and comments.

However, Mahara is not the best tool when it comes to UCS’ administrative processes for formal assessment. Fortunately, these processes are effectively managed through the assignment tool in LearnUCS. For this reason we will be using the assignment tool in UCS for submission, provision of summative feedback, grading, quality assurance processes and access for the external examiner. The following notes describe the three phases in the processes we are using for assessment on the PGCAP, with Mahara and LearnUCS.

1. A Formative Phase: you are gathering evidence and reflections

You will use the features of Mahara to gather evidence and reflections on your learning journey and we will be encouraging you to explore a diversity of forms and formats, such as text, video and audio as well as images perhaps, and likely structuring them around the Areas of Activity in the UK PSF. You will be sharing these on a regular basis particularly in the LTHE module, with tutors and peers for formative review and feedback.

2. A Submission Phase: you submit your formal assessment using elements from your e-portfolio

The final version of each formal submission is normally created in eg Word / PDF and submitted to a managed submission point within LearnUCS (and using the PGCAP cover sheet – see below, in 18.4). Please note, tutors will be happy to discuss alternative formats of submission, ie to Word/PDF, with you on an individual basis.

When you are creating the final version of the assessment, we anticipate you will want to embed / or link to evidence from the Mahara space, which supports your statements. We will help you to ensure any linked resources are accessible, via the link in the submitted document.

3. A Summative Phase: the Tutor marks, feedbacks, and external examiner’s sampling

Once your assessment work has been formally submitted to LearnUCS, the system is used to manage all aspects of the marking, second marking, provision of feedback, grades, extensions, and for external examiner’s access.