Some definitions first….

1. Minnesota’s ElectronicPortfolioTM - “efolio” A Statewide InfrastructureNLII Focus SessionOctober 25, 2002Gary LangerMinnesota State Colleges and Universities

2. Some definitions first…. • Portfolio:systematic and organized collection of a user's work and assessments that documents their efforts, progress and achievements of intended outcomes - for education, career and personal goals • Electronic portfolio (e-portfolio):A portfolio that is stored in an electronic format (floppy, CD-ROM, LAN) • Web-based e-portfolio: An e-portfolio that uses the web to store and display information.

3. More …. E-portfolio facilitates life-long learning • From K-12 through higher education and beyond • Learner in control of education • Worker responsible for career development Contains • Demographic information • Academic & Career History • Assessments • Resumes • Educational publications • Work Samples • Audio, Video, Photo files • Hyperlinks

4. Portfolios - a valued tool • Portfolios have been used for years as part of the teaching and learning experience • Their value to an individual and an organization has been well documented • There are numerous examples of paper-based and electronic portfolios (Winona SU, UM, CMA) • Conclusion: Portfolios “work”

5. WWW.EFOLIOMN.COM - Short History • Project was funded by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, in part with a grant received through the federal Dept. of Education • Work efforts initiated in the Summer of 2001 • Three work groups plus a design team were established to develop the specifications - student, worker, and educator • An RFP was issued to procure software development products/services. Contract with Avenet executed in Fall 2001 to license their content management engine • Beta testing took place Spring 2002 at MnSCU campuses, workforce centers and other organizations • Check out www.portfoliopilot.govoffice.com for more info.

6. www.portfoliopilot.govoffice.com

7. Key project assumptions • Technology literacy • Need to accommodate users of various skill sets - if you can run a word processor, you can administer the site • Customizable • One size can not fit all, users want uniqueness • Types of information • Text and multi-media documents

8. Assumptions continue… • Security • Three levels of security - public, restricted and private. Need to address under 18 issue. • Web-based • “Nothing but net”. Access through Internet Explorer or Netscape. • Administrative tools • Limiting site size, turning off sites, etc.

9. What makes “Minnesota’s Electronic PortfolioTM” unique?

10. Setting the bar... • Control • Puts the learner in charge of their learning process • Scope • Minnesota residents and students (enrolled at Minnesota institutions) are eligible • Tools • Built in tutorials • Choice of templates • Online Survey and Forms

11. Setting the bar - continue • Deployment • Access is completely web-based • Flexibility • Customizable to meet the needs of workers, students and educators • Availability/cost • Free for a lifetime (target) • “Pedagogical” independence • Can fit the needs of multiple institutions and organizations

12. The project... www.efoliomn.com

13. Team Information • Work groups • Included content experts from various areas • Beta testers • Are using the tool - today • MnSCU IT staff • Hosting infrastructure (St. Cloud ITS Regional Center) • Minnesota Dept. of Economic Security Service Center • MnSCU Center for Teaching & Learning

14. How does it work - simple as 1, 2, 3 • Step 1 - Get to www.efoliomn.com • Step 2 - Go through the sign-up process • Overview of the tool • Provide your name, age (under 18 issue) • Agree to code of conduct/terms of use (accountability placed on owner of site) • Step 3 - Sign-in to your site • Receive an email notification with your site URL (www.lindabaer.efoliomn.com) along with your password and userid

18. Student Sample

19. Worker Sample

20. Educator Sample

21. Sample Templates

25. Forms and Surveys

26. Search Site

29. Next … • Minnesota project - www.efoliomn.com • National pilot project • Funding/grant opportunities

30. Minnesota project • Soft launch August 1, 2002 • Presentations - local and national • Formal announcement by Chancellor in November • Adopted by: institutions - Rainy River CC and Bemidji SU (DLiTE teacher education portfolios) & faculty - Inver Hills CC, Northwest TC, etc. • Portfolio class (Century College) • “Tuning” the infrastructure

31. National pilot project • Using federal Dept. of Labor funding, MnSCU amended its contract with Avenet to provide efolio sites for up to 5,000 users within 25 different organizations • Project runs through June 30, 2003 • Alliance with Avenet, LLC

33. Finding funding/grant opportunities • College/University Alumni Office connections • Developed a communication strategy/plan • Looking for grant and other funding opportunities • Goal is to find resources to support and expand the infrastructure along with enhancing the tools functionality • Chance to partner with other states/ organizations

34. Opportunities and Challenges • Resources to help maintain and enhance the effort • Communicate project and provide training to help MnSCU campuses institutionalize the project • Addressing marketing and other promotional opportunities

36. Thank you! Gary Langer 651-649-5772gary.langer@so.mnscu.edu