in-folio: an open source portfolio for students with learning disabilities
DESCRIPTION
Description of the creation and launch of In-Folio, an Open Source e-portfolio tool designed to be usable by disabled and non-disabled learners alike. It is possible to upload and arrange multimedia items and to access the portfolio continually through one's life, rather than simply while at a particular institution.TRANSCRIPT
Unlocking Potential
In-Folio: An Open Source Portfolio for students with learning disabilities
Download this presentationhttp://slideshare.net/simonjball
Dr Simon Ball
JISC TechDis
Unlocking Potential
JISC TechDiswww.techdis.ac.uk
• Funded to increase accessibility and inclusion through technology in UK post-compulsory education.
• Work in many areas from guidance for teachers on using MS Word more accessibly, or using podcasts or video; to guidance for university managers on policy and strategy for inclusion.
Unlocking Potential
The need
• In 2007 JISC TechDis launched the second round of the LSC Innovation Fund.
• Independent Specialist Colleges (‘disability’-related colleges) could bid for funding to address a need relating to technology.
• Several colleges submitted bids relating to e-portfolio technologies, to allow students to record work and achievements, as well as keeping useful information in one place.
Unlocking Potential
The State of the Art
• Current products were evaluated by the Rix Centre both for their accessibility, and their suitability for students with disabilities, including learning disabilities.
• Two systems were shortlisted and were evaluated by the colleges, but were found to be either not sufficiently accessible to assistive technologies, or too complex for users with learning disabilities.
Unlocking Potential
The inception of In-Folio
• The colleges decided to build their own system, build around the Open Source ELGG framework (http://elgg.org)
• In-Folio is designed to be usable by all learners, disabled or not, to allow simple login, upload and organisation of materials, and to be accessible from any location to allow learners to maintain their portfolio throughout their life.
Unlocking Potential
Typical features
• Log-in is typical of the multiplicity of options:• Text-based username and password log-in.
OR• Symbol log-in (users are presented with a range of
symbols and have to select a sequence of them in order).
OR• Image log-in (users upload an image and create a
password by selecting parts of the image in sequence).
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Launch and Pilots
• In-Folio was launched at the 2009 NATSPEC conference.
• 6 colleges piloted throughout 2009.• Roadshows took In-Folio to all regions of the
UK.• Training materials hosted on In-Folio blog.• 65% of colleges now using In-Folio (July 2010).
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Next steps…
• Funding is being obtained to further develop In-Folio as a result of user feedback.
• Current developments include:• Training materials for parents, to help learners maintain
and develop their portfolio when away from school/college.
• User community and discussion boards.• Learner progress application within In-Folio.
• Interest from Higher Education and Adult Learning.
Unlocking Potential
User community and blog
• Hopefully I will be able to show you the website and user community at http://www.in-folio.org.uk/ but if it fails I have some screenshots….
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential
Unlocking Potential