The document discusses adapting Blackboard to better support e-portfolios for students at a university. It describes pilots with 700 students using Blackboard's basic portfolio tools, which had technical, pedagogical, and aesthetic issues. To address this, the university developed "addPageToPortfolio.jsp" to provide a new entry point and enhancements like step-by-step help and preview buttons. Evaluation surveys of over 100 students and 50 staff found the new approach worked well with little training needed, though some technical and confusion issues remained. Going forward, the university aims to further improve and future-proof the system, potentially adding Web 2.0 collaboration features.

1. The promise and practicalities of e-portfolios: Getting Blackboard to deliver Guy Pursey & Nicola Langton 8 January 2009

2. Outline Setting the scene ‘Adapting’ Blackboard Early evaluation Where next? Discussion: Adopt or adapt?

3. Setting the scene Blackboard since 2000 Academic Suite in 2006 Currently on Version 8

4. Setting the scene Personal Tutor Meetings Blackboard PDP PAR PDP

5. iLearn 2007/8 4 pilots Approx. 700 students All using portfolios All need training in Freshers’ Week… … and support throughout the year!

6. Setting the scene Issues with Blackboard’s Basic Portfolios… Technical Pedagogical Aesthetic

7. Setting the scene Solutions… Other systems “ Personal Portfolios” Improving help guides Adapting what we have…?

8. iLearn in Blackboard

9. Individual Learner Profile

10. Initial changes Step-by-step pop-up help Files stored in the Content System Link direct to tools from course

11. Adapting Blackboard Sticking with Blackboard Want closer integration between tool and course Something to ease training and support

12. Enter stage-left… addPageToPortfolio.jsp

13. New entry point

14. Your first portfolio…

15. Preview

16. Enhancements Step-by-step help Preview buttons Some automated fields Built-in questionnaire

17. Individual Learner Profile

18. Evaluation 3 surveys 4 focus groups First Year Responses 135 out of around 3000 (4.5%) Staff Reponses 50 out of 700 (7.1%)

19. Success…? Very little training Workshops easier Minimal queries

20. Issues Some technical issues Some confusion Staff engagement Future-proof?

21. What and where next? Basic improvements (more colour, etc) Web 2.0? Staff-student collaboration?

22. Adopt or adapt? … or, of course, any other questions.

23. Thanks for listening! E-mail: [email_address]