The document discusses developing a regional ecosystem for learners, institutions, and employers in the East Midlands region. It outlines some key projects aimed at breaking down boundaries between organizations by implementing open standards, developing interoperable systems, and streamlining processes like application and course information sharing. The goal is to create a more flexible, sustainable and cost-effective regional learning infrastructure that responds to changing needs and removes artificial barriers between organizations.

1. Kirstie Coolin The Centre for International ePortfolio Development, University of Nottingham www.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfolio Smashing Through the Boundaries Developing Components in a Regional Ecosystem for Learners, Institutions and Employers K. Coolin, T. Kirkham, S. Winfield, S. Wood MISC 2010 London Thursday 22 th January 2010

3. The Centre for International ePortfolio Development Kirstie Coolin, January 2010

4. www.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfolio The Centre for International ePortfolio Development Working with regional partners on interoperable solutions since 2003 National and international work Working with JISC, BECTA, EU, FE and HE partners, LLN, Connexions, Aimhigher, UCAS… and other partners in regional and (inter)national projects. In the areas of… Data and interoperability ePortfolio Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) Enhancing learning information for admissions Employability Widening participation Regional partnerships Kirstie Coolin, January 2010

5. The Centre for International ePortfolio Development Kirstie Coolin, January 2010 Our Technical 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

11. Kirstie Coolin, November 2009

12. Where to start? Kirstie Coolin, January 2010

13. CIePD projects: Begin Locally Encourage agencies to use standard/ shared keys and vocabularies Build on existing practice/systems Future proofing systems for potential changes Regional systems and processes Locked into siloes Repetition and complexity of processes Inconsistent data

14. Breaking the Boundaries 1 Kirstie Coolin, January 2010 An incremental, bottom-up approach to regional implementation has resulted in real progress, introducing open standards and service-based technology into organisations to develop a sustainable and extensible ecosystem. Evolution, not Revolution?

16. 14-19 Prospectuses IAG CAP Your Future East Midlands Employees Learners Stakeholders in the Regional ecosystem ePortfolio / learner PLE Bordering regions Kirstie Coolin © Centre for International ePortfolio Development, University of Nottingham, October 2009 LMI Comp. FEIs FEIs FEIs Schools Schools Schools HEIs HEIs HEIs Training Providers Training Providers Local authorities Sector skills councils Regional bodies HEIs HEIs Employers

18. Collaboration between stakeholders Sometimes with conflicting priorities and interests. Need to communicate technical concepts Driver – cost effectiveness No need for outside governance or maintenance. Why do we need to do this? Standards embedded into existing organisational systems Where possible, transform and enhance lifelong learning processes, rather than create Models of ownership? Access to data & “my data” – need to be tested and worked through Institutional boundaries? Kirstie Coolin, January 2010 Factors for cultural change

19. Thank You [email_address] Centre for International ePortfolio Development University of Nottingham www.nottingham.ac.uk/eportfolio