The ISLE project seeks to develop a sustainable model of effective FE/HE collaboration, to improve the education experience and to considerably reduce current problems in widening access such as retention and progression.

Individualised Support for Learning through ePortfolios (ISLE)


Start date: 16 March 2005

End date: 31 March 2007

Funding programme: SFC e-Learning Transformation programme

Project website: http://isle.paisley.ac.uk

JISC theme(s): e-Learning

Read the transformation story which highlight keys issues, lessons learned and outputs

The ISLE project seeks to develop a sustainable model of effective FE/HE collaboration, to improve the education experience and to considerably reduce current problems in widening access such as retention and progression.  The project proposes to move the concept of PDP forward through the integration of various blended learning tools (e.g. VLEs, ePortfolios, and diagnostic assessment tools) and by developing an individualised, self-reflective learning environment for students. The emphasis is on how to get the necessary pedagogical transformations so that learners benefit through the deployment of technology to support the learning process, not on technological solutions. A range of eLearning tools currently utilised by members of the consortium, or under evaluation as part of strategic developments, will be capitalised upon with an emphasis on pedagogical transformation.

Aims and Objectives

Aims

  • achieve significantly improved and sustainable progression, retention and achievement rates
  • deliver significant and sustainable efficiency gains in resources, particularly in staff time
  • support lifelong learning and wider participation through effective collaboration and partnership between FE and HE
  • develop an informed and managed approach to interoperability between partners, within a framework of diverse sectors
  • develop and embed a shared concept of personal development planning (PDP) flexibly supported through integrated blended learning strategies
  • transform staff perceptions of PDP and build a ‘strong staff commitment combined with a genuine conviction that it is a worthwhile thing for students to take part in
  • enable FE and HE to meet the diverse and individual needs of learners in a more efficient and effective manner.

Objectives

  • establish and demonstrate the effectiveness of a common pedagogical framework of practice across the partner institutions grounded in a shared concept of PDP
  • identify and exploit opportunities to share learning support expertise and resources (especially electronic resources) both from within the partner institutions and through other projects and initiatives
  • demonstrate and evaluate the application of shared ePortfolio platforms, both in terms of their overall effectiveness to enhance the performance of learners and their cost-effectiveness, and to inform strategies of wider implementation and sustainability
  • realise tangible benefits for learners in terms of effective learning, increased skills, self-awareness and employment prospects
  • identify, develop and deliver support and training for staff and students collaboratively to facilitate effective use of the ePortfolio framework
  • disseminate the results of the project across the sector

Project Methodology

The project is split into 4 main areas:

  1. The project will establish the current pedagogical development across the consortium and benchmark this against major sector-wide projects in the ePortfolio/PDP and diagnostic testing areas resulting in the expression of a common framework supported by resources and links contributed by members.
  2. The project will identify a set of ePDP/ePortfolio tools, clearly stating their technical requirements and pedagogical functionality aligned to the common framework in the form of a matrix tool to assist FE/HE institutions to systematically evaluate ePortfolio options. It will document integration issues encountered across the consortium culminating in a series of technical briefs for the systems employed.
  3. The project partners will undertake a series of ePDP/ePortfolio test-bedding activities with student groups across a range of subject disciplines comparing the experience in FE and HE. Following an implementation model, partners will test the embedding of tools for diagnostic testing, objective setting and self-reflection.
  4. Finally the project will consider the development requirements of staff and students engaged with ePDP/ePortfolios, drawing upon examples of good practice within and outwith the project. A range of flexible resources, guidelines, case studies etc and other materials made available in a variety of formats to support institutional staff development initiatives. They will be sufficiently flexible to be used according to the needs of different institutions, avoiding the ‘one-size’ fits all approach.

Deliverables

  • An agreed Learning Framework Model Definition grounded in Personal Development Planning for implementation and evaluation within the consortium to facilitate a more seamless tertiary education experience, enhance support for learners and aid performance and retention. The model will have potential for wider adoption across the FE and HE sectors.
  • A set of on-line tools to support diagnostic testing in the key skills areas of literacy, numeracy, ICT skills, library/information skills integrated into the ePortfolio supported Learning Framework Model, enhancing the support to learners.
  • A range of learning resources mapped against the common framework through a range of implementations that demonstrate and evaluate alternative solutions thereby increasing effectiveness of ePDP/ePortfolio implementations.
  • Technical briefs, guidance and toolkits for use in the FE and HE sectors aiding the integration of ePortfolio solutions to local systems.
  • A matrix informed by the common learning framework and the review of the ICT infrastructure of partner institutions, to assist planning, decision making and implementation of ePortfolio solutions in FE and HE.
  • Technical briefs, implementation models, evaluation reports, scenario and use case mappings, and case study summaries detailing a series of contrasting implementations of ePDP/ePortfolio that delivered through the project.

Stakeholders

Consortium Partners

University of Paisley (lead institution)
Angus College
Ayr College
Bell College of Further and Higher Education
Dumfries and Galloway College
James Watt College of Further and Higher Education
Motherwell College
Queen Margaret University College
The Adam Smith College
University of Abertay

Scottish ePortfolio Network

An associate partner network to provide opportunities for institutions, organisations and individuals outside the consortium to tap into and share expertise and experience gathered by the project.

Wider groups

Managers, Teaching Staff, Academic Support, IT Technical Staff etc in Further & Higher Education
Learners in both Further and Higher Education
JISC/CETIS
ePortfolio Research and Development Community (ERADC)
Centre for Recording Achievement (CRA)
Software developers (including commercial developers of ePortfolio tools/service)
Scottish Funding Council, Scottish Qualifications Authority
Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS)
National Union of Students

Other information

The project is seeking to hear from institutions, organisations and individuals who would like to participate in the Scottish ePortfolio Network. If you would like to participate or would like more information please contact the project manager or visit the project website.

project staff

Project Manager
  • Gerard Graham, Centre for Learning and Teaching, ISLE Project Office, H308, Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of Paisley, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Fax: 0141 848 3822 Tel: 0141 848 3870 gerard.graham@paisley.ac.uk
Project Director
  • Paul Rodaway, Centre for Learning and Teaching, ISLE Project Office, H308, Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of Paisley, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Fax: 0141 848 3822
Project Administrator
  • Lesley Stevenson, Centre for Learning and Teaching, ISLE Project Office, H308, Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of Paisley, Paisley, PA1 2BE, Fax: 0141 848 3822 Tel: 0141 848 3475 lesley.stevenson@paisley.ac.uk
Project Team
  • Bill Steel, Bell College of Further & Higher Education
  • Chic Thompson, Ayr College
  • David Ross, University of Abertay
  • Fergus Lang, James Watt College of Further & Higher Education
  • Joan Thomson, Dumfries & Galloway College
  • Malcolm Houston, The Adam Smith College
  • Matthew Smith, Motherwell College
  • Scott Anderson, Angus College
  • Suzi Peacock, Queen Margaret University College
  • Thomas Connolly, University of Paisley
  • Last updated on 07/01/09 by Kerry Ann Down