Skills for Work e-Portfolios

e-Portfolios Background

In diet 2008, a small pilot project was undertaken under the auspices of the larger Skills for Work (SfW) Development programme exploring the possibility of providing computer assisted assessment in Skills for Work courses. Materials, comprising electronic checklists and tests, were produced in three subjects (Financial Services; Early Education and Childcare, and Construction Crafts) and released through an e-portfolio system.

Following a successful bid for European Social Fund investment, we now have the resources to significantly expand the project in the coming financial year, with the possibility of two further years funding should the outcomes be successful. SQA are now offering training to SfW practitioners who plan to use an e-portfolio in diet 2009 – see below for details of the training and a booking form.

Phase 1 Completed materials

The first phase of the electronic assessment materials has now been completed and covers the following areas:

• Construction Crafts Intermediate 1 (online checklists)
• Early Education and Childcare Intermediate 1 (e-assessments and online checklists)
• Early Education and Childcare Intermediate 2 (e-assessments and online checklists)
• Energy Intermediate 2 (online checklists)
• Engineering Skills Intermediate 1 (online checklists)
• Financial Services Intermediate 2 (e-assessments and online checklists)
• Hospitality Intermediate 2 (online checklists)
• Rural Skills Intermediate 1 (online checklists)

These materials will automatically be made available to new users of the e-portfolio for the relevant Skills for Work course undertaken.

Details of materials developed in Phase 2 (January 2009) and Phase 3 (March 2009) will be published here on completion.

New SFEU Skills for Work support packs are now available from the SFEU website ( http://www.sfeu.ac.uk/skills_for_work ) in the following areas:

• Hospitality
• Hairdressing
• Engineering
• Retail
• Uniformed and Emergency Services
• Energy

Plan for diet 2009

SQA will provide centres running Skills for Work courses with suitable computer based tools for assessment, packaged through a common interface.

The objectives are:

To provide all SfW centres with access to an e-portfolio system
To provide electronic versions of checklists for all suitable SfW courses
To provide e-assessment for all suitable SfW course
To provide a method of games based assessment for two SfW courses
To provide support materials for all SfW courses
To explore itembanking for two SfW courses
To explore other technologies for assessment in SfW courses.
To evaluate the take up, support and impact of the development.
To encourage take-up of the tools provided.

The project will produce:

An e-portfolio system made available to any candidate in a SfW course
e-assessment versions of all paper based tests in a range of Skills for Work courses
Electronic checklists of all mandatory units in a range of SfW courses
An itembank in a chosen SfW qualification
A games based assessment in the SfW Retailing qualification.

The project will also aim to deliver:

An itembank in a further SfW qualification
A second games based assessment in a SfW qualification still to be determined
Electronic checklists in all units (including optional) in a range of SfW courses.

The first release will be available in September 2008, with a phased delivery of additional features throughout the year.

Training Events

The eAssessment and Learning Department will be running training sessions in November for online assessments and e-portfolios and we are offering places for two people from each centre, per session. Places may be booked for the full day or for the morning or afternoon only.

Morning session – SOLAR online assessment (www.sqasolar.org.uk)

Afternoon session – Skills 4 Work e-portfolio (www.sqadeskspace.org)

These sessions are aimed at Schools and Colleges and the following dates have been booked:

6 November 2008 – Glasgow Optima Building (both am/pm sessions FULL)

10 November 2008 – Glasgow Optima Building (am FULL, pm limited)

Dingwall Academy dates

27 November 2008 – Dingwall (availability)

28 November 2008 – Dingwall (availability)

NEW DATES FOR GLASGOW DUE TO DEMAND

22 January 2009 - Glasgow Optima Building (availability)

29 January 2009 - Glasgow Optima Building (availability)

For further information and to book places contact Joan Morris (0845 213 5405) or Derek McFarlane (0845 213 5406) or email joan.morris@sqa.org.uk or derek.mcfarlane@sqa.org.uk.

We now have a waiting list for the SOLAR online assessments sessions and if you are interested, we can add your name to the list and get back in touch as soon as we have another date.

If you are unable to attend the training dates, but are interested in using the e-portfolio in your centre to deliver a Skills for Work course, you can register your interest on the booking form below or e-mail esf@sqa.org.uk for future training events and alternative training arrangements.

Register your interest

To register your interest in piloting the use of the e-portfolio and future training events please complete this booking form or e-mail esf@sqa.org.uk

Note of Interest Form