1. A view from Kingston Some thoughts on collaborative ePortfolio project work in Nottingham Sandra Kingston, Project Manager Centre for International ePortfolio Development, University of Nottingham sandra.kingston@nottingham.ac.uk

2. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Why am I here? Share experience from a different region Share experience from a different region Show we dont have all the answers Show we dont have all the answers But here are a few things about how weve worked and some lessons weve learned But here are a few things about how weve worked and some lessons weve learned Explain what weve done so farExplain what weve done so far A bit about how we did itA bit about how we did it What worked for usWhat worked for us What we havent doneWhat we havent done

3. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Take one Project Manager…. With a portfolio career…

4. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Location, location, location…

5. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull A regional context

6. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull A short history lesson…. PDP at University of Nottingham: ePARs PDP at University of Nottingham: ePARs Internet PARs with University of Newcastle (included work with City schools from 2000, looking at pre-HE and employment) Internet PARs with University of Newcastle (included work with City schools from 2000, looking at pre-HE and employment)

7. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Enter MLEs for Lifelong Learning programme: Phase 1: HEI as hub (SHELL and NIIMLE) Phase 1: HEI as hub (SHELL and NIIMLE) Phase 2: introducing the alien Phase 2: introducing the alien

8. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

9. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull JISC meets Nottingham: Specifying an ePortfolio Focus on UCAS process and structured HE admissions Focus on UCAS process and structured HE admissions Work with City LEA (rather than specific schools) and a 6 th form college Work with City LEA (rather than specific schools) and a 6 th form college International project International project

10. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull RIPPLL: focus on the region Study-study/study-work pathways Study-study/study-work pathways Local partners Local partners and others…

11. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull What we wanted to do Extend existing relationships Extend existing relationships Raise awareness Raise awareness Explore ePortfolio for continuity across transition between partners Explore ePortfolio for continuity across transition between partners Join up systems in the region – modelling LLL Join up systems in the region – modelling LLL Focus on wider range of learners and pathways Focus on wider range of learners and pathways Support WP agenda Support WP agenda

12. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull What we actually did (some of the technical stuff) Technical consortium agreed minimum common data set Technical consortium agreed minimum common data set Demonstrated single learner journey across 5 transitions Demonstrated single learner journey across 5 transitions Prototyped electronic FE application process Prototyped electronic FE application process Influenced design of partner systems Influenced design of partner systems Used UK LeaP standard (BS 8788) Used UK LeaP standard (BS 8788) Please dont ask me about Shibboleth! Please dont ask me about Shibboleth!

13. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Some more of what we did (less technical stuff) Explored needs and possibilities for learners, tutors and administrators Explored needs and possibilities for learners, tutors and administrators Looked at pathways across transition points Looked at pathways across transition points Realised that the technical work is often more straightforward! Realised that the technical work is often more straightforward! Showed need for further work (and funding…) Showed need for further work (and funding…)

14. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull What were pleased with Established cross-sector communication Established cross-sector communication Built bridges between Nottingham HEIs Built bridges between Nottingham HEIs Brought employers into the picture Brought employers into the picture Shared vision/experience across sectors Shared vision/experience across sectors Enhanced reputation: the Nottingham work Enhanced reputation: the Nottingham work

15. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull What worked for us… People An overall champion NOT from HE An overall champion NOT from HE Key mole in the City LEA Key mole in the City LEA Champions within each institution Champions within each institution Keeping technical and pedagogic people apart! Keeping technical and pedagogic people apart! Techies like to get out… Techies like to get out… But pedagogic staff are bound by timetables: better to go to them But pedagogic staff are bound by timetables: better to go to them

16. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Some more of what worked for us Building capacity: sharing resources and expertise Building capacity: sharing resources and expertise Peer training Peer training Sharing the vision… Sharing the vision… Focus on intended practice rather than blue skies Focus on intended practice rather than blue skies But being realistic about what is possible now, taking small steps But being realistic about what is possible now, taking small steps

17. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Things weve realised are important Recognising that it takes time to find the right people Recognising that it takes time to find the right people Finding the right forum for sharing expertise: meetings, workshops, training sessions Finding the right forum for sharing expertise: meetings, workshops, training sessions Listening to the people with experience… and going the extra mile to formulate and format what they say Listening to the people with experience… and going the extra mile to formulate and format what they say Maximising use of peoples time, remembering they have day jobs Maximising use of peoples time, remembering they have day jobs Understanding that we all do things differently, and why Understanding that we all do things differently, and why

18. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Vision Need shared vision (even if it comes from one place initially) Need shared vision (even if it comes from one place initially) Need realistic vision: small steps towards a bigger goal Need realistic vision: small steps towards a bigger goal

19. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Working with partners Recognise differences: cultural and local Recognise differences: cultural and local Exemplified by differences in practice, pedagogic and technical Exemplified by differences in practice, pedagogic and technical And in experience And in experience And in expectations! And in expectations!

20. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull Does this sound familiar? It doesnt fit with Institutional policy… It doesnt fit with Institutional policy… It wont work here… It wont work here… Our vendor wont let us… Our vendor wont let us… We want to but our technical people cant.. We want to but our technical people cant.. We can but our pedagogic people dont seem to want.. We can but our pedagogic people dont seem to want.. But you need an internet connection… But you need an internet connection… We cant let our students do that! We cant let our students do that! Our students want it but the staff wont do it… Our students want it but the staff wont do it… The staff want it but the students wont do it… The staff want it but the students wont do it… We havent got the time/staff/money… We havent got the time/staff/money… Our internal systems dont talk to each other, so how can we hope to… Our internal systems dont talk to each other, so how can we hope to… Were putting in a new system next year so theres no point at the moment Were putting in a new system next year so theres no point at the moment Any answers ?

21. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull We still have a long way to go… (some bigger picture stuff) Weve moved data between systems (pass the parcel) But the JISC e-Framework advocates a web services approach… Or theres the Microsoft approach to interoperability… Tension between the monolithic put it all in and smaller, agile approaches

22. 18 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull And there are still the elephants...

23. Thanks for listening. Any questions? www.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfolio sandra.kingston@nottingham.ac.uk