Versatile tool for competence management - an e-portfolio management system for higher education in applied sciences

Abstract

In the line of outcome based education and transferability of credits, we study a Higher Education case and propose an e-Portfolio solution as a versatile tool for assessment tasks. The solution tackles the problems firstly, of accreditation of prior achievements from both institutional and experiential learning. Secondly, the developed tool carries the process of learning outcome definitions management (derived from the real employment world), and the learner self-assessment and self-reflection as well as the guidance and support for these. The e-Portfolio management system, ePofo, supports the identification, assessment, recognition and accreditation of prior learning achievements and learning outcomes. Additionally, it is a tool to present the sectoral qualification requirements to the students, to derive learning needs and define the learning outcomes, thereby structuring the teaching. It also provides support for the learner‟s own management of achievements and competences, and finally for presenting the profile to potential employers.