Lifelong Learning on the Open Wave:

Casting off from the InstitutionALT-C 2010Nottingham

Kirstie CoolinCentre for International ePortfolio Development

University of NottinghamKirstie.Coolin@nottingham.ac.uk

The Centre for International ePortfolio Development

Kirstie Coolin, September 2010

Our Priorities:

• Learner-owned technologies• Service Oriented Architectures• Interoperability through open standards• ‘Thin’ eportfolio models using distributed data• Re-using, not rewriting

Delivering• scalability• sustainability• reduced cost

New way of working and learning“The focus will be on a greater diversity of models of

learning: part-time, work-based, foundation degrees and studying whilst at home” Higher Ambitions 2010

Employability | Work-based learning | CPD | internships | modularisation | Lifelong and informal learning | Less institutional constraints | Distributed

learning | Learner expectations | Assessment

Kirstie Coolin, September 2010

Evolving approach to technology

Historically, learners’ interaction with technology (VLE, ePortfolio…) confined within institutional boundaries

“Emphasis on flexible and lifelong learning heralds a surge of interest in lightweight, affordable technologies among new types of user” … including employers

Kirstie Coolin, September 2010

“…lifelong learner data and processes should be disaggregated from the institution if ePortfolio tools are to prove meaningful for lifelong learners.”

Surfacing the tensions?Practical concerns vs broader individual

benefits?

Recent progress in developing interoperability standards, federation and early piloting has unlocked this door;

A change in institutional culture is required to push it open.

Kirstie Coolin, September 2010

Shifting institutional boundariesFlexible systems for employers, providers and learners

How?Numerous ways to present data to a range of audiences

- user interaction through ePortfolio, portals, web 2.0, mobile technology - efficient and cost effective

Ownership models | Learner-centred activity | Flexibility | Embedded standards |Secure and

seamless interfaces between systemsKirstie Coolin, September 2010

Sea changes…

Practice based/demand led learning processes‘roles and responsibilities’ , Identity managementSecure window onto the university’s relevant dataDistributed systems/interoperability, shared services,

cloud computingModularisation, mobile technology, Open standards, Leap2A, XCRI, linked dataSecurity, federation, trust, oAuth, Shibboleth

Kirstie Coolin, September 2010

Kirstie Coolin, September 2010

Modularisation of learner-owned ePortfolio processes and targeted data sharing re-used in different technological contexts according to roles and responsibilities.

Thank You + QuestionsKirstie.Coolin@nottingham.ac.uk

References:ePortfolios and Lifelong Learners

http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfolio/leapahead/ePFLLN.shtml Shared Architecture for eMployer, Student and Organisational Networking (SAMSON)http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfolio/samson/index.shtml

Range of CIePD projectshttp://www.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfolio