There is a lot of discussion currently about the attitude of awarding bodies and in particular, external verifiers to e-Portfolios. The following are extracts taken from formal communications issued by the Policy and Regulation team of the City and Guilds to their external verifiers.
E-portfolios: current policy and practice (October 2005)
We have started, and are continuing, to enter into endorsement agreements with third party organisations that provide e-portfolio systems in line with the City & Guilds corporate vision. The records that an external verifier needs to see to complete verification work are the same regardless of the approach used to store them. There are clearly many benefits that e-portfolios can bring to external verification, but it is impractical to train all EVs on the use of all the e-portfolios used by centres.
Electronic portfolios – current policy (August 2006)
Last October’s generic Verifier update (number nine) contained an article about eportfolios that has prompted many queries from EVs whose allocated centres are starting to use these products. More specifically, there seems to be confusion about the rights and obligations of centres and EVs in relation to e-portfolios. If a centre intends to purchase an eportfolio system, this must be communicated to you during the visit planning process – you should never be in a situation where you arrive at a centre to be confronted with an e-portfolio that you knew nothing about! The second obligation that centres have is to ensure that all relevant personnel, including EVs, are comfortable with using their system – As EVs, you are expected to use the eportfolio systems that we endorse. You are not expected to be an expert on the system, but should be prepared to use it with the centre’s help. It is never acceptable to insist that the centre prints out the contents of an e-portfolio, or to refuse to use an endorsed system.
For further clarification, contact your awarding body.
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