This session will introduce the Mahara platform for electronic portfolios. This will include a discussion of how portfolios can be an effective tool for formative and summative assessment, particularly with students at a distance. The diversity of assessment type coupled with an iterative approach can facilitate engagement over longer periods of time and support personal development Lopez-Fernandez & Rodriguez-Illera, 2009). Portfolios also allow students to make linkages between related concepts which often appear separate, due to this integrative approach (Bhattacharya, & Hartnett, 2007) We will unpack the collaborative and community focused potential of these platforms, drawing on real example assessments used on the Academic Professional Apprenticeship course and the reflections of a course member.
Session Aims
The aims of this session are to:
Understand the practical elements of using the Mahara Efolio system
Explore the benefits of using portfolio assessment to structure distance and blended learning
Engage with real example assessments of best practice