ePortfolioA new employability tool

for Manitoba’s immigrants?

Manitoba Labour and ImmigrationDecember 17, 2009

Agenda

• 0930: Introductions

• 0940: Context

• 0945: ePortfolio: introduction, current trends,

linkage to immigrant needs

• 1045: Break

• 1100: ePortfolio and Manitoba

• 1120: DISCUSSION

• 1200: Conclusion

“Learning Agents eStudios”

– Flexible Digital Production Studios

– Mobile Production & Facilitation

Support

– Collaborative Workshop Environment

– Community Telecentre

Underlying questions

• What is ePortfolio?

• Can it help Manitoba’s immigrants?

• What are the next steps?

ContextNew Manitoba Settlement Strategy

• Working to improve services and expand programs to respond to the settlement, integration and labour market needs of the increased number of newcomers with: – Improved pre-arrival information– Centralized information and assessment

services– Easier and earlier connections to services– Increased support to communities and groups– Expanded language training

LIM_pathways_2009

ePortfolio 101 and current trends

• What is ePortfolio?

Recognition of Prior Learning The language of skills & knowledge

• RPL = a way to determine what a person knows and can do

• RPL can be used for:– access to education (advanced standing)– career planning & professional development– access to employment

• a Portfolio is a product of RPL• an ePortfolio is a digital portfolio

Key elements

• Links individual’s skills/accomplishments to skills frameworks

• A record of formal AND experiential learning

• Claims backed by digital evidence• Learner ownership• More than a showcase

ePortfolios and resumes

(Courtesy FuturEd)

Credentials vs. ePortfolio

Credentials• Reflect time spent in

class• Questionable

proficiency• Proxy for skills and

knowledge• Dated• Variable quality• Formal learning only

ePortfolio• Reflects time spent learning• Evidence-based proficiency• Statement of actual skills and knowledge• “Living”• Systematic• All learning valued

(Courtesy FuturEd)

ePortfolio: product and process

• Digital archive

• Showcase: celebration & assessment of learning– Education

• Acceptance/advanced standing, course requirement, graduation requirement

– Workplace• Hiring, HR development, professional development,

project team selection

FuturEd 2004

ePortfolio: product and process

• Assessment for learning (e.g. CLPA)

• Reflection, self-assessment

• Transferring skills

• Coaching, collaborative learning

• Learning plans

• Knowledge Management

(Agustin, Duane)

FuturEd 2004

Benefits of “e”

• Information Management capabilities– Collecting, archiving, making different versions

• Easy to share with others– “one to many”, digital copies, links to specific pages

• Collaboration– Easy to add comments, edit, mentor, coach

• Measurement– Link to frameworks, rubrics, track learning over time

• Easy to illustrate/demonstrate with multimedia• Can integrate with other ICT systems• Builds personal network, grooms digital identity

Quick Tour

• Global, regional, sectoral initiatives

• Converging standards and interoperability

• Open Source, Web 2.0, social software

• Adaptations for employers

• Manitoba momentum

• eP & immigrants: recent research, case

studies Sarah Stewarthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t2dXPb9Wc8&feature=related

UK – PDP, NVQ, WBL, CPD, etc.

UK - Careers Wales

http://www.careerswales.com Partly from percolab CAPLA Nov 2009

Sectoral ApproachesUK - Health

Construction

Sectoral ApproachesUK - Construction

Europass CV, Language Passport

New Zealand - Mahara

• 2007 OS project led by Massey University

– Lifelong learning & social networking environment for NZ

tertiary students

• Funded by NZ government ($500K), later

Carnegie Mellon Foundation

• Learner owned, multiple views

• Learning Mgmt System (LMS) integration

• LEAP2A exportability

Regional InitiativeseFolio Minnesota

CanadaEmployability, Essential Skills

CanadaSector Councils

EmployersHuman Capital Management

Web 2.0, social software“Publish yourself”

Sarah Stewarthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t2dXPb9Wc8&feature=relatedTheo Ramseyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT1XYjZcmck

Flickr Example

http://www.flickr.com/photos/xinwen_zhang/sets/72057594115462151/

Linked In Examples

Cobbling it together…Map of a Personal Learning Environment (PLE)

Web 2.0 as the engine of a PLE - the appeal and the danger…

http://www.flickr.com/photos/meg/3527560991/

Vision of the aggregated ePortfolio “Small Pieces, Loosely Joined”

StudentRecords

OnlineCredentialVerification

Manitoba momentumLIM-ALT

Manitoba momentumOther selected RPL initiatives

• PLAR Policy Framework 2001– Broad Goals: mobile, portable credentials, recognition of

informal & continuous learning, decentralization, seamless service, systemic operational capacity

– 3 cornerstones: post-secondary, community, workplace

• RRC– RPL Programs, Socrates ePortfolio

• MPLAN– Community of Practice

• Centre for Education and Work– Workplace Informal Learning Matrix, Successful Preparation for

Retaining Immigrant Workers

• WPLAR– Working with employers, competency frameworks, – Essential Skills linkages

ePortfolio and immigrant employability

•Can ePortfolio serve the needs of immigrants?

ResearchInformation Practices of Immigrants

Nadia Caidi, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, 2009http://www.slideshare.net/settlementatwork/information-practices-of-immigrants

ePortfolio benefits for newcomers

• Self-assessment

• Develop communication skills

• Develop other necessary skills and

knowledge

• Build your Network

• “Digital evidence bank”

• Personal space for learning and building

knowledge

Immigrants and Essential Skills

• Reading Text• Document Use• Numeracy• Writing• Oral Communication• Working with Others• Continuous Learning• Thinking Skills

– Problem Solving, Decision Making, Job Task Planning and Organizing, Significant Use of Memory, Finding Information

• Computer Use

RESEARCH PROJECT ePortfolio for Skilled

Immigrants and Employers

Pan Canadian Employer Focus Groups

Jan-Feb 2006

Benefits of ePortfolio

• Pre-employment

• Recruitment

• Human Capital Development– Employee Development– Performance Management– Talent Management– Succession Planning

Employer feedbackePortfolio as a tool to describe skills and knowledge

• Majority in favour– “digital matching service, living document, screening

tool, digital evidence of credentials and experience”• Benefits:

– Accessible documents of work accomplishments vs. credentials

– Pre-employment bridging tool, linked to LMI– Help standardize the language of competencies

• Acceptance Factors– Accuracy, consistency, ease of use

• Potential Issues– Time for creation and processing, privacy, content

maintenance, system integrity, overall responsibility...

• Good timing– Rising skills shortages, immigration levels

• Current examples– Job Banks and PSC system

• Benefits– Good potential: niche sectors, skill sets, countries– Transparent tool for diversity and equity– Early adopters could have hiring advantage– Ease/improve recruitment, reduce wrong hires

• Potential Barriers – Cost, regulatory body acceptance/validation, privacy,

ownership, process inertia, consistency

Employer feedbackOn the advisability of a broad ePortfolio system

• Acceptance Factors– Simplicity, accessibility, usefulness as a screening tool,

trust, confidentiality, standards, integration, flexibility, extensibility, government support, marketing, training

• Solutions– Fit eP into existing interviewing and hiring practices– Incremental approach with action research to measure

benefits– Make eP mandatory (!) with allowed exceptions for

inclusiveness

Employer feedbackOn the advisability of a broad ePortfolio system

CASE STUDY 1aSkillsInternational.ca - Ontario

CASE STUDY 1b

CASE STUDY 1c

CASE STUDY 2percolab - Laval, QC

CASE STUDY 3e-Career Services, BC

• PNP pilot for LIM

• Online writing skills, job-search, employer matching pilots

(MISA, HILC, Skills International)

• Online mentoring pilot (JVS, Algonquin)

• Online competency assessment pilot underway (ICTC,

CTHRC)

• Videoconferences-employers, sector councils, regulators -

ongoing (ON Chamber)

• Online orientation courses pilot for IEHPs –ongoing (U of T)

* Copied from a paper handout

CIIP at CAPLA 2009* Special Initiatives

• Blended model: facilitation and self-directed

learning

• Clear and simple language and terminology

• User friendly – keep it simple

• Include a transition phase to a Canadian agency

• Provide initially at no cost – pilot phase and then

for a reasonable fee

CIIP at CAPLA 2009* Making the (Competency Portfolio) Model Work

CIIP has an interest in the outcome of this (CAPLA) workshop:

• Pilot the e-competency portfolio with a select group of CIIP clients

• Provide job ready clients with yet another tool that encourages employers to consider them as serious candidates

• Provide clients a tool that helps them organize a ‘previous skills’ record and maintain an ongoing skills record

• Provide clients with a clear view of where they have been and where they are going and how best to fill the gaps or develop further skills

• Provide facilitators with a clear picture of how best to guide the individual

CIIP at CAPLA 2009* Collaboration on the Competency Portfolio

Break

Break!

ePortfolio and Manitoba immigration

• How can ePortfolio serve the needs of Manitoba’s immigrants?

Where We Are Going

• Increase immigration level to 20,000 annual arrivals by 2016, primarily through the Provincial Nominee Program

• Improve, expand and consolidate immigrant settlement labour market programs including pre-arrival services

•

• Improve Recognition of International Qualifications

• Protect foreign workers through partnerships with employers and other stakeholders

• Continue to improve supports to communities outside of Winnipeg

• Renewal of Canada-Manitoba Immigration Agreement

Qualifications Recognition Initiative

QR Initiative• Manitoba’s Qualification Recognition

Action Strategy

• The Fair Registration Practices in Regulated Professions Act

• Demonstration projects and specialized programming

Major Challenges for Immigrants• Lack of official language• Lack of Canadian work

experience• Transferability of qualifications • No networking/social capital

Major Challenges for Employers • Language • Providing work experience • Difficulties assessing foreign

qualifications• New and timely approaches,

capacities

Fairness Challenges

Manitoba immigration demographics

Settlement Programs (Immigration, Settlement and Multiculturalism Division)

Pre-Arrival InformationWeb-based

Centralized Information, Language & Orientation

ENTRY Program

Centralized Assessment and Referral Winnipeg English Language Assessment and

Referral Centre

Adult Language Training Newcomer and Labour Market Supports

Community and Integration Supports

Settlement, employment, and academic focused

English classes delivered in

neighbourhoods, workplaces,

classrooms and by distance.

Settlement of immigrants and refugees post-arrival

including workplace orientation, specialized

employment services for workers in professions and trades of varying skill and

language levels.

Settlement programs to support the long-term

integration of immigrants and refugees.

Promotion of Multiculturalism and support for ethno-

cultural communities through the Multiculturalism

Secretariat.

Capacity BuildingEnhancing services for newcomers through: - professional development- needs identification- program building and promotion - evaluation and continuous improvement- employer registration under the Worker Recruitment and Protection Act- facilitation of ethical and effective worker recruitment - regional coordination

Labour Market and Strategic Initiatives

Qualifications recognition initiatives including the Academic Credentials

Assessment Service and the Credentials Recognition

Program.Information and supports

for temporary foreign workers.

For a list of the agencies that deliver settlement services see the MAP DIRECTORY on immigratemanitoba.com.

Possible Futures• “ePortfolio Training Wheels”

– Enhance current programs• Web 2.0 tools, ePortfolio fragments, personal web

publishing

• “ePortfolio Hybrid” – Integrated platform (hosted or installed)

• Standards-based for mobility, extensible for customization, linked to one or more other learning programs

– Phased pilot strategy• One group, simple functionality; analyze, refactor, reiterate

• “ePortfolio SUV”– Custom, feature-rich enterprise system

• Linked to other MB systems, broad-based rollout

Potential ePortfolio program elements• Induction

– ePortfolio awareness, hands-on orientation

• Self-assessment– LMI context, Essential Skills, Employability– Gap analysis, learning plan

• Learning Activities (group, self-directed, coached)– Evidence collection, reflection, discussion, role play– Inquiry based learning, link to other LIM learning

programs– Assessment for learning

• Products– Multi-view ePortfolio with a larger digital archive,

learning journal– Resume/CV, cover letter(s)

Some Issues• Cultural fit?• Technology infrastructure• Support• Professional Development for facilitators• Interoperability with other systems• Privacy, security• Portfolio lifecycle..how long?

Early Steps…prepare• Complete Market Research (Q4 2009-2010?)

– More thorough research of related systems in other jurisdictions

– Assess/poll clients, service providers, stakeholders about needs and capabilities

• Develop a Phased Plan (in parallel)

– Train the Trainer “sandbox”– First pilot– Wider rollout

• Develop/validate pilot curriculum (Q1 2010-2011?)

Early Steps…pilot• Train the trainer (Q1-2 2010-2011)

– Core facilitator group, other interested stakeholders (cadre of 8)

– Sandbox (try out alternatives)

• First Pilot (Q3 2010-2011)

– Client group with high chance of success

Further steps• Analyze (Q4 2010-2011?)

– Lessons learned– Proceed? Big changes?– List of needs for a dedicated Manitoba

ePortfolio platform

• Rollout (Q1 2011-2012?)

– Choose an ongoing ePortfolio platform– Pilot the ePortfolio platform, plan for rollout

• Training, ongoing hosting and support, “future proofing”

Discussion of Priorities

• Confirm order of priority:– Newcomers (1-3 years)– Pre-Arrival– Established, under-employed (3+ years)

• Other questions:– QR vs. employability (exploring career alternatives)?– Presentation showcase vs. learning environment?– Dedicated program vs. module in other programs?– ePortfolio with eLearning for gaps?– Internal LIM oversight vs. Advisory Committee?– Made for Manitoba vs open standards– Action research vs. internal summative evaluation?

Recommended Reading

• Effective Practice with e-Portfolios– http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/publications/

effectivepracticeeportfolios.pdf

• European guidelines for validating non-formal and informal learning

– http://www.cedefop.europa.eu/download-manager.aspx?id=5060&lang=en&type=publication

• Networks, Connections and Community: Learning with Social Software

– http://pre2009.flexiblelearning.net.au/flx/go/pid/377

• e-portfolios for RPL Assessment– http://pre2005.flexiblelearning.net.au/newsandevents/E-

portfolios_for_RPL_Assessment_Final_190309.pdf

don@learningagents.ca(204) 219-5933

Don Presant

appendix

•Extra Slides

OMFC Vision

Frameworks, Standards, interoperability, transferability

http://www.eife-l.org/publications/standards/interop

PLEaSE (a personal learning, employability and social environment)

• IMS• SCORM• HR-XML• Europass XML• hResume• LEAP2A

LEAP2Ainterconnectivity

LEAP2A

Community Learning Networks

http://spa-online.org.uk/

http://mahara.org/view/view.php?id=1929

Potential Issues and Barriers

• Time to build and assess portfolios• Ownership and control of information

– Corporate Security• Losing employees to competitors • Individual Privacy, Identity Theft• Technology – isolated systems vs. open

standards• Technology – user accessibility (Digital

Divide)• Lack of widespread acceptance (critical

mass?)• Language limitations of immigrants

Helen Barrett Portfolios

http://electronicportfolios.com/myportfolio/index.html

Australia

http://www.eportfoliopractice.qut.edu.au/

Competency Atlas http://www.competentieatlas.nl/percolab CAPLA Nov 2009

The Netherlands

EuroportfolioEuropean Instittue

for E-Learning (EIfEL)

Define, design, and develop digital

portfolio systems that meet the needs of all stakeholders

http://www.europortfolio.org/

percolab CAPLA Nov 2009

ResearchInformation Practices of Immigrants 1

Nadia Caidi, Faculty of Information, University of Toronto, 2009http://www.slideshare.net/settlementatwork/information-practices-of-immigrants

Maytree Vision

Fulfilling the PromiseAlboim and MaytreeApril 2002

EuropeTENCompetence

• European Commission Project– Develop a technical & organisational infrastructure,

which is both open source and standards based, to support lifelong learning in Europe, to serve the needs of individuals, groups, and organisations.

• KEY TOOL: Personal Competence Manager– 4 use cases:1. I want to keep up to date2. I want/must attain a new set of competences 3. I want/must upgrade my current competences to

a higher level 4. I want/must match my competences on other job

profiles,  because my current job is not in demand any more

http://www.tencompetence.org/node/182

Context

• Immigration and Manitoba’s Action Strategy for Economic Growth

• Transition Penalty• Manitoba policies and programs for

Workforce integration– Ben Rempel 2007 (

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=93YOGqFedw0)

James Croll

Victorian Poster Child for RPL

http://www.brianmicklethwait.com/education/archives/001380.htm

Benefits of RPL and Portfolios

• Reflection• Planning• Review• Recognition

...Lifelong Learning Process and Tool

Job Boards (Monster.com Power Résumé Search)

Automatic Profiles – Digital Identity

CASE STUDY 3c

YouTube

• Sarah Stewart, Midwife– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-t2dXPb9Wc8&feature=related

• Theo Ramsey– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oT1XYjZcmck

Canada - Online Credentials

(e)Portfolio - Working Definition

• “a collection of authentic and diverse evidence, drawn from a larger archive...

• ...representing what a person or organization has learned over time on which the person or organization has reflected,

• ...and designed for presentation to one or more audiences for a particular rhetorical purpose”

(NLII, 2003)

Employers

eRecruitment

Manitoba MomentumSkills Passport at New Flyer

Pedagogical underpinnings

http://pre2009.flexiblelearning.net.au/flx/webdav/site/flxsite/users/cpickles/public/Final_Report_Social_Software_for_Learning17April.pdf

How Immigrants Come to ManitobaPermanent Residents Temporary Residents

Refugee Class

Economic Class

Family Class

International Students

Temporary Workers

Visitors

MPNP Business

Immigrants

Live-in Caregivers

Business Immigrants

Federal Skilled Workers

MPNP Skilled

Workers

Manitoba Provincial Nominees (MPNP)

Privately-Sponsored Refugees

Government-Assisted Refugees

Refugees landed in Manitoba

Self-Employed

Entrepreneurs

Investors

Employer Direct

International Students

Family Support

Strategic Recruitment

General Stream

Personal Learning EnvironmentELGG’s “Learning Landscape”

Manitoba momentumWIN project

• Self-exploration/reflection

– education, experiences, competencies, documents,

testimonials, etc.

• Career development tool

• Multiple values to employers, regulatory bodies,

educators, etc.

• Identifies and helps communicate transferable

skills

• Uncovers options for alternate career paths

CIIP at CAPLA 2009* Encouraging the Use of a Competency Portfolio