This document provides an overview of using Mahara as an e-portfolio tool. It defines an e-portfolio as a collection of digital artifacts created by the learner to demonstrate their experiences, achievements, and learning. Mahara allows users to integrate with their Moodle VLE, collect files from various sources, provide a social network for learning, and easily create webpages to showcase work. The process involves an initial creation and collection phase, followed by a design and sharing phase where users get feedback, and finally a phase to build a learning network and take control of their learning.

1. Using Mahara
A quick guide based on our e-
portfolio project with level 5
language students.

2. What is an e-portfolio?
• An e-portfolio is the product, created by the
learner, a collection of digital artefacts
articulating experiences, achievements and
learning.
(Jisc, Effective practice with e-portfolios)

3. Why use an e-portfolio?
• ‘An e-portfolio is a purposeful aggregation of digital
items – ideas, evidence, reflections, feedback etc,
which “presents” a selected audience with
evidence of a person’s learning and/or ability.’
Sutherland, S. and Powell, A. (2007), Cetis SIG mailing list discussions
[www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/cetis-portfolio.html] 9 July 2007

5. What Mahara can do
• Integrate with your moodle vle
• Collect your files from vle and beyond
• Provide a social network for learning
• Enable easy webpage creation to showcase
your work

6. Phase 1
• Creation and collection
of your digital content
• Personal and secure
• One “pot” to collect all
relevant content

7. Phase 2
• Design and share views
of your content
• Get feedback from
others
• Electronic paper =
flexibility
• Define permissions and
limit access

8. Phase 3
• Build a network for
support and
development
• Take back control of
your learning
A quick tour of our Mahara e-portfolio