A view from A view from KingstonKingston

Some thoughts on collaborative Some thoughts on collaborative ePortfolio project work in NottinghamePortfolio project work in Nottingham

Sandra Kingston, Project Manager Centre for International ePortfolio Development, University of Nottingham

sandra.kingston@nottingham.ac.uk

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

Why am I here?Why am I here?

Share experience from a different regionShare experience from a different region Show we don’t have all the answersShow we don’t have all the answers But here are a few things about how we’ve But here are a few things about how we’ve

worked and some lessons we’ve learnedworked and some lessons we’ve learned

• Explain what we’ve done so farExplain what we’ve 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 haven’t doneWhat we haven’t done

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

Take one Project Manager….Take one Project Manager….

With a portfolio career…With a portfolio career…

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

Location, location, location…Location, location, location…

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

A regional contextA regional context

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

A short history lesson….A short history lesson….

PDP at University of Nottingham: ePARsPDP at University of Nottingham: ePARs Internet PARs with University of Newcastle Internet PARs with University of Newcastle

(included work with City schools from (included work with City schools from 2000, looking at pre-HE and employment)2000, looking at pre-HE and employment)

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

EnterEnter

MLEs for Lifelong Learning programme: 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’

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

JISC meets Nottingham: JISC meets Nottingham: ‘Specifying an ePortfolio’‘Specifying an ePortfolio’

Focus on UCAS process and structured Focus on UCAS process and structured HE admissionsHE admissions

Work with City LEA (rather than specific Work with City LEA (rather than specific schools) and a 6schools) and a 6thth form college form college

‘‘International’ projectInternational’ project

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

RIPPLL: focus on the regionRIPPLL: focus on the region

Study-study/study-work pathwaysStudy-study/study-work pathways Local partnersLocal partners

and others…

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

What we wanted to doWhat we wanted to do

Extend existing relationshipsExtend existing relationships Raise awareness Raise awareness Explore ePortfolio for continuity across Explore ePortfolio for continuity across

transition between partnerstransition between partners Join up systems in the region – modelling Join up systems in the region – modelling

LLLLLL Focus on wider range of learners and Focus on wider range of learners and

pathwayspathways Support WP agendaSupport WP agenda

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

What we actually did (some of the What we actually did (some of the technical stuff)technical stuff)

Technical consortium agreed minimum Technical consortium agreed minimum common data setcommon data set

Demonstrated single learner journey Demonstrated single learner journey across 5 transitionsacross 5 transitions

Prototyped electronic FE application Prototyped electronic FE application processprocess

Influenced design of partner systemsInfluenced design of partner systems Used UK LeaP standard (BS 8788) Used UK LeaP standard (BS 8788) Please don’t ask me about Shibboleth!Please don’t ask me about Shibboleth!

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

Some more of what we did (less Some more of what we did (less technical stuff)technical stuff)

Explored needs and possibilities for Explored needs and possibilities for learners, tutors and administratorslearners, tutors and administrators

Looked at pathways across transition Looked at pathways across transition pointspoints

Realised that the technical work is often Realised that the technical work is often more straightforward!more straightforward!

Showed need for further work (and Showed need for further work (and funding…)funding…)

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

What we’re pleased withWhat we’re pleased with

Established cross-sector communicationEstablished cross-sector communication Built bridges between Nottingham HEIsBuilt bridges between Nottingham HEIs Brought employers into the pictureBrought employers into the picture

Shared vision/experience across sectorsShared vision/experience across sectors Enhanced reputation: ‘the Nottingham Enhanced reputation: ‘the Nottingham

work’work’

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

What worked for us… PeopleWhat 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 Keeping technical and pedagogic people

apart!apart! Techies like to get out…Techies like to get out… But pedagogic staff are bound by But pedagogic staff are bound by

timetables: better to go to themtimetables: better to go to them

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

Some more of what worked for usSome more of what worked for us

Building capacity: sharing resources and Building capacity: sharing resources and expertise expertise

Peer training Peer training Sharing the vision…Sharing the vision… Focus on ‘intended practice’ rather than Focus on ‘intended practice’ rather than

blue skiesblue skies But being realistic about what is possible But being realistic about what is possible

now, taking small stepsnow, taking small steps

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

Things we’ve realised are importantThings we’ve realised are important

Recognising that it takes time to find the right Recognising that it takes time to find the right peoplepeople

Finding the right forum for sharing expertise: Finding the right forum for sharing expertise: meetings, workshops, training sessionsmeetings, workshops, training sessions

Listening to the people with experience… and Listening to the people with experience… and going the extra mile to formulate and format going the extra mile to formulate and format what they saywhat they say

Maximising use of people’s time, remembering Maximising use of people’s time, remembering they have day jobsthey have day jobs

Understanding that we all do things differently, Understanding that we all do things differently, and whyand why

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

VisionVision

Need shared vision (even if it comes from Need shared vision (even if it comes from one place initially)one place initially)

Need realistic vision: small steps towards Need realistic vision: small steps towards a bigger goala bigger goal

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

Working with partnersWorking with partners

Recognise differences: cultural and localRecognise differences: cultural and local Exemplified by differences in practice, Exemplified by differences in practice,

pedagogic and technicalpedagogic and technical And in experienceAnd in experience And in expectations!And in expectations!

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

Does this sound familiar?Does this sound familiar? ‘‘It doesn’t fit with Institutional policy…’It doesn’t fit with Institutional policy…’ ‘‘It won’t work here…’It won’t work here…’ ‘‘Our vendor won’t let us…’Our vendor won’t let us…’ ‘‘We want to but our technical people can’t..’We want to but our technical people can’t..’ ‘‘We can but our pedagogic people don’t seem to want..’We can but our pedagogic people don’t seem to want..’ ‘‘But you need an internet connection…’But you need an internet connection…’ ‘‘We can’t let our students do We can’t let our students do that!’that!’ ‘‘Our students want it but the staff won’t do it…’Our students want it but the staff won’t do it…’ ‘‘The staff want it but the students won’t do it…’The staff want it but the students won’t do it…’ ‘‘We haven’t got the time/staff/money…’We haven’t got the time/staff/money…’ Our internal systems don’t talk to each other, so how can we hope Our internal systems don’t talk to each other, so how can we hope

to…’to…’ We’re putting in a new system next year so there’s no point at the We’re putting in a new system next year so there’s no point at the

momentmoment

Any answersAny answers??

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

We still have a long way to go… We still have a long way to go… (some ‘bigger picture’ stuff)(some ‘bigger picture’ stuff)

We’ve moved data between systems (‘pass We’ve moved data between systems (‘pass the parcel’)the parcel’)

But the JISC e-Framework advocates a web But the JISC e-Framework advocates a web services approach…services approach…

Or there’s the Microsoft approach to Or there’s the Microsoft approach to interoperability…interoperability…

Tension between the monolithic ‘put it all in’ Tension between the monolithic ‘put it all in’ and smaller, agile approachesand smaller, agile approaches

18 January 200718 January 2007 VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull VLE/MLE workshop, University of Hull

And there are stillAnd there are still

the elephants...the elephants...

Thanks for listening.Thanks for listening.

Any questions?Any questions?

www.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfoliowww.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfolio

sandra.kingston@nottingham.ac.uksandra.kingston@nottingham.ac.uk