$25,000 funding for e-portfolios trials

Registered training organisations (RTOs) can apply for a share of $25,000 in funding and support to investigate and identify the factors that contribute to the successful implementation of an e-portfolio system which supports learner transitions.

The 2010 E-portfolios Implementation Trials are funded and supported by the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework). The trials will provide individual RTOs with a maximum of $9,000 each. Each successful RTO will be required to match the funded amount with equal funds or in kind contribution.

The trials contribute to the establishment of a national standards-based approach to e-portfolio technologies for managing learner information, between VET, other educational sectors and employment.

E-portfolios can support a number of learner transitions, including:

• into VET through RPL (recognition of prior learning) or meeting minimum entry requirements
   
• through VET by supporting workplace training and assessment or the fast tracking of qualifications
   
• out of VET into further education, employment, promotion or self employment.

In 2009, the following trials were conducted:

Supportive Recognition – Coonara Community House, Victoria
Coonara Community House used the VET SA Teaching & Learning E-portfolio system with Diploma of Children Services clients seeking RPL prior to undertaking their course. All learners were offered the opportunity of using an
e-portfolio for their RPL assessment, however, mid-way into the trial only those learners who had received the additional support of developing their e-portfolio had put forward anything to be assessed by RPL.

Skills Capture – Fire Protection Association Australia, Victoria
The Fire Protection Association Australia trialled social networking software Ning to support fire protection industry service technicians to gain recognition for their Extinguishing Agent Handling Licence competencies. As sole operators, the fire protection technicians were mentored to enable them to use the online environment effectively. Once engaged in the e-portfolio space, the often disparate and isolated workers found the opportunity to professionally ‘network’ with other remote colleagues, which was an added bonus in this method of managing the assessment process.

Skills recognition using e-portfolios – TAFE NSW (Sydney Institute), New South Wales
TAFE NSW Sydney Institute is using an e-portfolio to support the RPL process of Certificate III and IV in Hairdressing clients. Learners have quickly embraced the opportunity to present their ‘life’s work’ in a digital format, finding the experience to be self-empowering, while learning new (digital) skills. This trial also investigated the use of point of view or camera glasses to record ‘live’ workplace evidence.

Applications will open on 24 March and close 21 April. Successful applicants will be notified from 14 May. Once applications have opened, more information will be loaded to http://flexiblelearning.net.au/content/e-portfolios-funding. You can also contact Allison Miller: (08) 8348 4075, email: Allison.Miller [at] tafesa.edu.au (Please replace at with @ to use the email address) for more information.

The E-portfolios web page contains a bank of e-portfolio resources, including:

• VET E-portfolio Roadmap – a national strategic plan designed to support the diverse requirements for
  e-portfolios in the VET system.
   
• Managing Learner Information: Important considerations for implementing e-portfolios in VET – this report considers the issues of ownership, privacy, verification, access control and security for e-portfolios.
   
• E-portfolios for RPL Assessment - this report is an environmental scan of the way e-portfolios are being used to support RPL in VET.

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Published on 20/01/2010