While the RAU has had Mahara for sometime we have unfortunately not been using it effectively as an assessment tool. Hopefully this will change soon and there are plans to use e-portfolios extensively on the new Catalyst blended-learning courses.
In order to get our academics up to speed we have launched a series of group workshops aimed at anyone interested in using an e-portfolio for student assessment. The sessions are led by Aurelie Soulier with additional support from the Learning Technology team.
Yesterday was our first session entitled e-portfolios: What are they and what’s in it for me and my students? There was some useful discussion on people’s previous experiences of using e-portfolios (not always good!) and possible uses of the tool.

Aurelie introducing ePortfolios
The next sessions will be more hands on and start looking at our own e-portfolio tool in more detail.
- Introducing Mahara: a basic introduction to editing
Wednesday 29th May, 3-4:30pm, Glass room, EJ - Using Mahara: Designing learning activities and assessment, and using groups
Wednesday 3rd July, 3-4:30pm, Glass room, EJ - Advanced Mahara: Using competency frameworks
Wednesday 24th July, 3-4pm, Glass room, EJ
You will have had to attend previous workshops, or be familiar with Mahara, to attend this session - Mahara for Dissertation management
Wednesday 4th September, 3-4pm, Glass room, EJ - Mahara as a CV builder
Wednesday 18th September, 3-4pm, Glass room, EJ
All resources from the session will be available from the Mahara support page on Gateway.

Introduction to Mahara page – on Mahara