Background




In 2008 CIT was funded, through the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (the Framework) Innovations projects, to trial and evaluate e-portfolios with a targeted group of Senior School students from St Clare’s College Canberra and CIT Children’s Services teachers. This project also included a Project Reference Group comprised of local Childcare industry representatives and ACT Health and Community services representatives.

The project focused on the delivery of one unit of competency that is common through several Children’s Services and Community Services qualifications. This unit of competency was delivered by CIT in concert with St Clare’s College, Canberra ACT. St Clare’s has a strategic imperative to implement flexible and online delivery of courses to support a wide range of student groups, with particular reference to the needs of Australian School based Apprenticeship Scheme (ASBAS) students

St Clare’s is an all-girls school in Canberra. The targeted group consisted of about 15 final year students undertaking the Childcare course at the school which comprised students enrolled at the school full time, students on a part time enrolment and students enrolled as adult learners. St Clare’s and CIT share the delivery of teaching as described in the figure below.



This project helped to inform CIT’s research and development of e-portfolios and its strategic intent to support the ongoing development of an e-portfolio system. The essential elements of the 2008 project required students and teachers to communicate and collaborate with each other through innovative Web 2.0 technologies. The students were provided with a framework in which to develop their Wiki that would suit the Children Services industry.

The Australian Institute of Sport Childcare Centre (AIS) played a vital part in the project, providing valuable input and support for the development of e-portfolios across a broad range of jurisdictions and industry participants.  AIS fully supported the use of e-portfolios for individuals undertaking study in Children Services and Community Services fields and also valued the opportunity for current industry employees to develop their own e-portfolio to identify skills gaps and targeted professional development.

One of the significant outcomes of the 2008 Innovations Project was the high level of interest in cross-sector development of e-portfolios that benefited all participants and was supported across jurisdictions.

For example, the student (individual) was supported by CIT (educational sector) as well as AIS (industry sector) in the development of their e-portfolio including the design and layout of a professional presentation tool, without compromising personal styles and tastes. Individuals were supported in the selection of artefacts that support claims against selection criteria, assessment, or Employability Skills.

Another outcome was the need for organisations to provide testamurs, certificates and other unique documents attributable to individuals for the life of the individual. For example, the certificates awarded by St Clare’s and CIT need to be available electronically and be verified and trusted by viewers of the e-portfolio. This is one aspect worth further exploration.