European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) : a CEN ISSS LT grant proposal

1. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) : a CEN ISSS LT grant proposal Michel Arnaud michel.arnaud@u-paris10.fr University Paris X AFNOR January 25, 2005 Oslo CEN ISSS LT

2. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) • An e-Portfolio is a web-based information management system that uses electronic media and services. The scenario online template includes metadata for general information about the scenario (title, language, description, creator, audience, source, other contributors), the flow diagram from different perspectives, as well as a list of stakeholders.

3. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) In order to develop advanced systems and services that help improve European citizens employability, the e-Portfolio is a central feature. There is a need to have common references for : • competency definitions through the model of learner competency, • the format of the e-Portfolio : the scenario online template include metadata for general information about the scenario: title, language, description, creator, audience, source, other contributors; the flow diagram of the scenario, from different perspectives, a list of stakeholders and other actors, information about the format of the resource and the Rights Management's regarding the contribution, information about the person who enters the object/resource (role of the creator of the scenario, publisher, personal e-portfolio). • the interoperability of the e-Portfolio on different platforms and environments. Standardized interfaces will facilitate the way towards customized and efficient e-Portfolio services from a training and work-related perspective.

4. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) The benefits of e-Portfolios can be summarized under three areas: • a learning tool for the user; • a monitoring tool for institutions • a mechanism for employment opportunities. This interaction between institutions, instructors, advisors, employers and peers creates a varied learning community and improved job market conditions.

5. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) • This project will provide an opportunity for the European Union to have a stronger implication in improving European employability through the promotion of the e-Portfolio, provided there is a coordinated action regarding validation of competencies across Europe according to the Learner competency model developed by CEN, regarding the format used for e-Porfolios and finally regarding system interoperability.

6. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) Objective: to provide a CWA comprising: • A representative survey of e-Portfolio usages (described in a uniform format) which are practiced or planned in Europe with a particular focus on competency grids, format harmonisation, system interoperability and protection of personal data and security issues. • For each of these four aspects, an evaluation regarding missing support through specifications or standards being available or already sufficiently stable. • A set of recommendations on further work on specifications and standards for e-Portfolio applications. This project will be pursued in close relationship with standardization bodies issuing recommendations (such as IMS LIP and RCDEO, IMS e-Portfolio specifications, etc..) in order to constantly check their interest for the subject and to avoid any redundancy. It will also ensure a continuous contact with industrialists and academics.

7. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) • The Learner Information Profiles Special Interest Group based in the UK is coordinating the development of a set of scenarios to illustrate some typical uses of e-portfolios across Europe. A small number of illustrations will be produced but these are intended to stimulate colleagues to develop further scenarios of their own practice, or the practice they wish to develop. Workshops are being arranged in September 2004 to review the commissioned scenarios and develop further scenarios for the INSIGHT website, which is intended to gather further scenarios and comments. In this way a picture of European requirements for e-portfolio will be developed.

8. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) Initial scenarios are being commissioned in five areas. Each scenario should provide an illustration of how a learner may typically use an e-portfolio without attempting to cover all possibilities. For example, the exemplar scenario, where the learner chooses to go to University, stimulated a second scenario where the learner chose to enter work. The scenarios do not specify the e-portfolio but the use of the e-portfolio.

9. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) The main elements of the scenario are: • Metadata about who has provided the scenario. • A short statement providing the context for the scenario briefly explaining how the scenario relates to other practice and policy • A simple flow diagram of the scenario. . • The ‘story’ or narrative of the use of an e-portfolio told from the perspective of an external narrator. • The narrative told from the perspective of one or more of the people involved, always including the perspective of the learner • A list of the types of people (the stakeholders) involved in the scenario and of what they want the system to provide. • A list of the other people and systems, or actors, who support the process • Definitions of terms • References and Bibliography

10. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) • IMS Reusable Definition of Competency or Educational Objective (RDCEO) • Provides a way to represent a definition of what it means to be able to do something. Learner achievement information may include a pointer to some RDCEO data. • A Basic RDCEO Definition Model for Rubric Commentaries • Measure: a description of observable outcome or behavior etc. that is indicative of the skill level. • Score: A numerical score. • Skill-level: A vocabulary for a level of mastery. The vocabulary used is not defined here but is a matter for individual communities. • Multi-dimensional Assessment

11. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) European projects in 6th Framework program: EPICC: ePortfolio interoperability (from 01/03 to 0-/05) • EPortfolio state of the art review • Development of specifications of ePortfolio systems that should lead to international standards Key-Pal: ePortfolio for essential skills (from 09/04 to 08/06) • A benchmark of national approaches towards the definition and supports to the development and accreditations of essential skills TELCERT: conformance testing of technology enhanced learning (from 01/04 to 06/06) Osmosys: small and medium organisation learning (ePortfolio for supporting learning and accreditation) (from 10/04 to 09/06) Inflow: Informal learning at the workplace (e-Porfolio) (from 10/04 to 09/06) TTCampus: Trainer training in e-learning (ePortfolio for certification) (from 03/05 to 02/07)

12. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) The Europass Diploma Supplement: • an annex, an explanatory note attached to a diploma awarded by a higher education institution. It helps to explain the diploma which may often be understood only within the country concerned. • When fully completed this document provides all the information necessary to make a valid assessment of any degree or qualification. The Supplement should be issued to every student, upon graduation, together with their official diploma, free of charge, in a widely spoken European language.

13. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) Data Protection and Privacy: • The CEN ISSS Workshop on Data Protection and Privacy (CEN/ISSS WS/DPP) is extended beyond 2005 as a project team whose aim is to help organizations to comply with the Data Protection Directive and relevant national legislation by facilitating harmonization of practice, • developing the understanding and predictability of detailed or sector practices, contributing to resolving ICT technical compliance issues, and encouraging consistency of assessment and oversight. • The Workshop took due regard of the provisions of the relevant EU legislation on data protection and privacy, including Directives 95/46/EC, and 2002/58/EC.

14. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) Certification of professional experience (French use case) • The 2002 law stipulates that a worker can get his/her professional experience validated by a jury who is independent from the company he/she is working with. • By this procedure, his/her professional qualifications are recognized through a competency grid negotiated by trade unions and employers and which applies to all companies of the same sector of activity. • His/her professional experience once validated could be equivalent to a full degree if part of the list established by the National Commission of Professional Certification.

15. European practice and interests in e-Portfolio (EPI-eP) ePortfolio software Open source • Juvenes Mobiles (Leonardo project) • The Open Source Portfolio Initiative (OSPI) Commercial ePortfolios • Nuventive, producer of iWebFolio, asks for 100 Euros a year for a single user