Hello Jie

 

We use the basic portfolio templates (customised) at LJMU and won’t be moving to the April 2014 release. Can you just clarify if the basic portfolio option still exists or has that been removed as well?

 

Thanks

 

Alex

 

 

We are a bit disappointed with the improvement to portfolio and a bit annoyed with the removal all templates in the basic portfolio. The new template (inherited from personal portfolio) does not have a text editor and therefore template cannot be formatted which made it useless. I raised a ticket and have been told this is function as design. Fortunately our one department that used portfolio has decided to move away from this tool.

 

Jie

 

 

Dear Blackboarders,

 

As I’m sure many people have done I’ve upgraded our test system to the April 2014 release so that we can explore the new features before upgrading our live system in the summer.  One of the main new features is the upgraded portfolio system.  After the publicity about this, and the indications in Bb Roadmap sessions that it’s been completely redesigned I’d have to admit I was a little underwhelmed when I first looked at it.  Yes, it is an improvement over the old system (which isn’t saying much…), but it doesn’t feel quite as simple to use as I’d hoped.  I’d have to admit I’m not keen on the term “Artefacts”; this doesn’t feel a particularly friendly name for students.

 

I like the fact that the portfolios are accessed from the Global Navigation, but the link seems a bit hidden under the Tools list; I was hoping for a new icon in the main Global Navigation.  However, I do like the integration with the Assignment tool; the ability for instructors to ask their students to create a Portfolio and submit this for assessment in the Grade Centre is very nice.

 

Since portfolios are something which regularly comes up in conversation at City College I’d be interested to know anyone else’s thoughts on the new system; is anyone using them ‘in anger’ yet?  Are you excited or underwhelmed by them?  Am I missing something; are they better than my initial investigation suggests?  Any thoughts would be gratefully received since we have departments here which are keen to explore these as an alternative to their current portfolio systems.

 

Many thanks,

 

Chris Boon
Senior ILT Support Analyst
City College Norwich
Ipswich Road, Norwich NR2 2LJ

Tel +44 (0)1603 773659
[log in to unmask] | www.ccn.ac.uk | @c1boon

 

 

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