e-Portfolios @ UBC – Archive of Projects

Thanks to Karen Belfer (Coordinator of the UBC Campus Wide e-portfolio pilot projects 2003-2004) for providing us her testimonial:

The decision to submit a Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund (TLEF) grant proposal to pilot the use of e-portfolios in UBC, is the perfect example of the vision and leadership that the Office of Learning Technologies (OLT) brings to this university, but even more significant was the fact that the project received the grant; which demonstrates the university’s strong commitment to improving educational practices by exploring ways in which to enhance the teaching and learning process using technology.

I was very lucky to be asked to coordinate the project on its first year of exploration. I brought with me some experience from the design of a four year portfolio for TECHBC students, but nothing would have prepared me enough for the task I had in front of me.

A lot of work had to be done in that first year to set a framework that would support the growth of the project over the next couple of years (e.g. explore other institution’s e-portfolio practices, evaluate different system applications, develop group processes, and a community of practice).

It seems so long ago, but it was such a memorable time for me that I clearly remember how it all started…

Barbara Cambridge came to UBC to give us a two-day workshop, it was very enlightening and motivating, so much so that even people that were not directly in the project began to inquire about it and wanted to get involved.

There were a few other things that I was directly involved in doing that gave shape and became the pillars of the project:

The slogan- five words (verbs), all distinct but when they are put together “collect-reflect-evaluate-select-present” became a powerful tool that helped disseminate the purpose, and process of developing a portfolio.

The guidelines – have been used and reused by many in UBC and across the world. Simple “word” documents that were developed in my interactions with the project leads. Some described the differences between a “all selective” and an “all inclusive” e-portfolio, and others suggest scoring criteria, questions for reflection, and steps to take in the development of an e-portfolio.

The implementation of sound instructional design – when learning technologies are introduced to the classroom sometimes the focus can become the technology instead of the teaching and learning processes. In putting the attention back on the learner and the teaching, I was able to facilitate learner-centered approaches, key to successful e-portfolio implementations.

The “buy-in” from project leads, faculty, and students – many would say that the key to the successful completion of a project like this relays on the enthusiasm, energy, knowledge, and project management skills of the leader, and though I don’t disagree, I would like to add that the commitment from the people I worked with was fundamental. I feel about it so strongly that in documents I’ve written and workshops I’ve given since I put it in as a “most have” value needed for a triumphant implementation.

I learned a lot from just being a part of it all, as you can see from the above mentioned items there were many things that worked very well on the first year, but truth be told I learned much more from the things that did not work that well:

The technology and the systems – Two years ago when the pilot project started the development of e-portfolio applications was just getting some attention, the market was new and the products were young and not very flexible. At that point in time we did a very comprehensive evaluation of products available and decided to use one single application for the five pilot projects, in retrospect that was not a good idea. Even though it was based on a learner-centered decision (give learners a tool that is easy to use and offers good support), it was not the learner need and characteristic that we should have based our decision on. Most students do not mind taking on difficult tasks that allow them to be creative and express themselves, two elements missing from our chosen tool.
Over all the coordination of the pilot project was a great challenge, one that I really enjoyed and learned from. I had to opportunity to work closely with many people, I got to chair some meetings, and guide some discussions, but most of the time I followed….yes I followed the lead of an amazing group of faculty, staff, and students. I couldn’t have done it with out them.

Karen Belfer
Coordinator of the UBC campus wide e-portfolio pilot projects 2003-2004