Minnesota State Colleges and Universities The Call for Transparency and Accountability: The Impact of Electronic Environments and Multimedia on Accreditation Processes Lynette Olson Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Cathleen Barczys Simons Capella University November 2008

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3 Minnesota State Colleges and Universities sponsors and manages eFolioWorld, a unique electronic portfolio infrastructure system that affords higher education institutions the opportunity to create, maintain, and publish a unique Web-based portfolio.

4 High School, College, & Work Tools about me (eFolio, Facebook, etc.) eFolioWorld New Strategies Advising, Grad Planner Program Planning GPS LifePlan, 1 st Year Student Competency Tools Outcomes & Assessment IMS Tools, Web 2.0 Social Networking Artifacts of Learning, Processes, Data & Analysis Program Review Digital Storytelling Accreditation Stakeholders eFolioMinnesota Team

5 …each electronic portfolio (site) displays selected items & reflections based on the owner’s choices. Items that you might select (often called artifacts or evidence of learning) can be… Electronic Portfolio Content what you post is what will others will see

6 eFolio Tools The success of the individual eFolio inspired the development of –ToolKit –Link Builder Next generation development activities will move toward “roll-up” efforts among the eFolio tools

7 Linking Portfolio Content to Criteria/Standards

8 Accountability & Transparency Institutions must devise efficient and effective methods to respond to governing boards, accrediting agencies and federal and state education departments, need for data and information.

9 One Institution’s Story An institutional electronic portfolio can help to build a college or university’s “story” and community. It can provide a depth and breadth of connections among institutions as well as within the institution itself, its programs, and its constituents.institutional electronic portfolio

10 Capella University - Institutional Electronic Portfolio Institutional Electronic Portfolio – an example of utilizing multi media mnscu.edu

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute11 Why multimedia? 2006 AQIP Check-up Visit, feedback from reviewers: Capture the “spirit” of Capella in the next Portfolio

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute12 How Multimedia was Chosen 1.Leverage to advance key initiatives: Assessment – Learning Outcomes Transparency Faculty – Capella’s Educational Philosophy 2.Focus on multimedia strengths: Complex content Multiple audiences Offsite audience Capturing spontaneity, spirit Dynamic speaker Multiple key individuals, or group

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute13 Types of Multimedia 28 Multimedia Elements Created

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute14 Multimedia – Animated Audio

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute15 Multimedia - Video

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute16 Multimedia – Animated Timeline with Videos

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute17 Multimedia – Animated Timeline with Videos

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute18 Multimedia– Animated Timeline with Videos

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute19 Multimedia – Video plus Animation

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute20 Additional Benefits of Multimedia Impact of multimedia on accreditation Engaging way to highlight key accomplishments Powerful way to capture spirit, uniqueness Effective way to communicate difficult concepts Presenters become enthusiastic supporters Engenders deeper understanding of AQIP Other impacts: Multimedia leveraged for other purposes: advancing initiatives, regulatory, training, marketing New tools now available for online courses Cost savings

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute21 Key Learnings – Multimedia Selection How to go beyond mere “bells and whistles”: Tip #1: Clarify what unique advantages/purposes multimedia will provide/address Tip #2: Determine how the multimedia can be leveraged to address other institutional needs Tip #3: Choose topics that capitalize on multimedia’s strengths: Complex content Multiple and/or offsite audiences Capturing spontaneity, spirit of a dynamic speaker or group of people

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute22 Key Findings – Technical Why one type of multimedia over another: Video vs. audio Complexity of material, and graphics To script or not to script Purpose of multimedia Advantages and disadvantages Getting content into the site Copy deck Positioning graphics for launching multimedia Handbook of entire site, with quick-reference materials

© 2008 Capella University - Confidential - Do not distribute23 Conclusion Multimedia enhanced Portfolio, for both AQIP and Capella audiences. Multimedia were leveraged to advance key initiatives and simplify complex content. Careful targeting of multimedia is important for effectiveness, for going beyond “bells and whistles”.

24 …an overview

25 System Overview Your eFolio Public Sites (views) Private (secured views) Student Profile Professional Profile Search Results Summary Reports eFolio Search Portal Basic & Advanced Search Controls eFolio Repository

26 Learning ePortfolios are used to document, guide, and advance learning over time. They often have a prominent reflective component and may be used to promote metacognition, to plan learning, or for the integration of diverse learning experiences. Learning ePortfolios are most often developed in formal curricular contexts. For example: FYE students might be asked to develop a learning ePortfolio that invites them to reflect upon how their information literacy skills improve over the course of a year. LPN/RN students might be asked to develop a learning ePortfolio to track learning reflections from clinical experience. source: Keeping Up with Standards Learning ePortfolios

27 tags … both searchable & collectible data types … moving us beyond simple text multiple sites … re-purposing existing pages feedback … including Blog/Wiki-like messaging activities affiliations artifacts career objectives certifications competencies/outcomes contacts course work education employment history events forms media publications/presentations skills uploaded LOs web 2.0 ePortfolio Elements

28 xFolio screen overview Manage Content Panels eFolio Page Workspace Manage Sites & Pages Context Sensitive Help site controls Common Icons Create To-do Properties Add Trash Restore Date Picker Collector Build Remove Edit Delete

29 Core Features Manage and organize content Forms-based content entry Free-form content entry Image and File uploads Create & maintain web sites Account management Content import & export Beginner Features Placeholder site content (OR structure) Step-by-step prompted tour of the administration tool “Fall off a log” easy, intuitive, convenient, and encourages repeated & frequent use Advanced Features Multiple sites from single repository of content Custom page layout/formatting within a site Management of large amounts of content, files, images and other artifacts Tagging functionality “Collector” is a powerful, query-based tool for site builds xFolio Features

30 Chancellor’s Initiative 2009 Focus our attention on the development of “portfolio thinking” How does it contribute to the learning organization? Gap…in addressing results & change RESULTS & CHANGE gap Our FOCUS has long been on electronic portfolio tools & “how to use” specific features of whatever the vendor provided.

31 For more information contact: Lynette Olson, Ed.D. Assessment & Effectiveness Director, Academic Innovations, Office of the Chancellor, Minnesota State Colleges & Universities Phone: