A Web 2.0 E-Portfolio?
I think we’ve all heard of e-portfolios by now. They are something that are used a lot in HE and fairly well in some FE institutions, however we don’t really hear about them in ACL.
Maybe this is because of the cost. Maybe it’s because the infrastructure used by many ACL providers doesn’t support e-portfolios. Maybe it’s because of the mixed messages we keep hearing about the many e-portfolio options we can choose from.
There is no doubt that the custom built e-portfolio can prove useful and can fit in perfectly at many institutions and quite possibly some ACL providers. However, I recently came across another option, one that is free of charge and can be used on any net enabled computer in the world. It’s name? Google.
I think everyone knows the search engine “Google” by now and most will know the maps and image search 
facility. What many may not know about is Google Docs, Google Sites or, under their joint name, Google Apps.
Google Apps can be set up by an institution to work within their own domain. Restrictions can be put on this so that anyone without a @learningprovider.ac.uk domain couldn’t share or transmit outside. Or there could be no control and it could be open. Google Apps contains:
- Email Addresses for all users (Gmail)
- Free access to compatible equivalents of Word, Excel and PowerPoint (Google Docs)
- Google Sites (Google Sites)
- Google Calender
- iGoogle Start Page
Even if you don’t want to take the formal step of setting up Apps, Google can act as an e-portfolio, as all of these components can be used individually. Setting Apps up on a domain just adds for a more infrastructure sound service.
Documents can be uploaded or created directly in Google Docs, videos and sounds uploaded to YouTube and emails and to do lists created in Gmail, Calendar and iGoogle. Blogs can be created in Blogspot. It’s worth noting at this point that the YouTube and Blogspot postings don’t need to be public. While they can’t be restricted to a domain (as they could on a commercial e-portfolio) they can be marked private but shareable, so they can only be found by the person putting together the portfolio. The documents can be done by the student, or opened to collaboration with other users for group work or marking.
At this point a Google Site can be created. This is an extremely easy to use interface which allows everything to be brought together. An example of it can be found here. This site can be open, or can be restricted to particular email addresses. You can add gadgets for blog RSS feeds alongside your google docs, youtube videos etc. You can add documents directly or as attachments and comments can be added too.
Another advantage of using this an an e-portfolio system is that students can keep what they produce and continue to show it off, share it or use it.
This won’t suit everyone; it isn’t secure in the way a corporate solution would be and it is a buisness tool that can be adapted for education, rather than a bespoke service. However, it is free, it is easy and, hopefully, this could spell an opportunity for Adult Community Learning.
To see my example GooglE-portfolio click here
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September 16th, 2008 at 55:56
Good stuff, Kevin. Wikispaces is another good, very easy to use, option for this type of work.
September 25th, 2008 at 11:24
nice & simple, does it every time Kev. I’m looking @ this idea at the moment to start up an online community. You’ve done some of the ground work for me. Ta.
October 9th, 2008 at 33:28
Have thought the same for a while now, Kevin. Good move writing it down
I think there’s too much of a tendency, at the moment, for folks to continue debating, “what is an ePortfolio?”.
It really doesn’t have to be rocket science does it!
October 13th, 2008 at 33:42
Hi Mark
I agree entirely and think we spend a lot of time trying to define terms. E-Maturity, Web 2.0, E-Portfolio and even e-learning.
In terms of the academics of it all, we need to do this.
However, in terms of strategic policy it’s less important. What we need to know that what we mean by the terms – and how they work in practice.
A learner, of whatever age, does not care if they are using an e-portfolio, a VLE or a depository. They may not care if they are using PebblePad or Google. What they care about is that they are using something that makes it easier for them and makes learning more accessible. If we’re going to argue about definitions, then what we mean by accessible, easier and more productive would be a far better use of time….but even better still, would just be to implement strategies that work and not worry about the exact definition.
October 16th, 2008 at 66:13
UPDATE: A good visualisation of this idea here: http://sites.google.com/a/jiscapt.net/project-plan/Home/project-communications
January 28th, 2009 at 66:02
Hi, Kevin,
As much as I can see the benefits to bright, intelligent and ICT literate persons such as yourself, I wonder how you can apply some of your more esoteric cloud-computing approaches for ACL, young children, the less able, those with disabilities, the elderly or those who just have not got the competence, time nor inclination to set up their own e-Portfolios?
I’ve been working intensely, day in and day out, on developing a low-cost system that meets the needs of the vast majority of end-users. I’m not trying to be destructively critical of your suggestions but would like you to look at the following links and come back to me.
P: http://www.raytolley1.xfolioworld.com
B: http://www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com/
W: http://www.maximise-ict.co.uk/eFolio-01.htm
E: rjt@maximise-ict.co.uk
Kind Regards,
Ray T
January 29th, 2009 at 33:02
Hi Ray
I’ll have a full look at all those links later and many thanks for your input.
I think it’s important to note that I’m not advocating Web2.0 as the solution – just A solution. The key is that Web 2.0 makes use of tools learners may well already be using – it’s about harnessing the learning that is already taking place. Maybe your portfolio makes full use of RSS and other collaborative technology in which case, if you can harness existing tools and overcome the clunkyness of Web 2.0, then fantastic. If it’s low cost, all the better. However, I think there is as much a place for a free and totally universal tools as well as constructed and regulated systems. I think the more informal the learning, the more the former.