PLA Portfolio Migration to Chalk & Wire

Granite State College provides credit for prior learning using the typical pre-approved credit methods. However, some students choose to demonstrate prior learning from non-pre-approved learning experiences by assembling an e-portfolio to the Director of Individualized Studies in the CRIT503 course. In collaboration with the Director, I managed and led a migration from the custom designed WordPress multisite instance I built in 2013 to a fully integrated e-portfolio system using Chalk & Wire’s CWPro platform.

The project involved the following key challenges:

• Presenting the affordances of the CWPro platform to the Director in terms of Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) needs and administrative logistics.
• Designing an implementation of CWPro that aligns with the CRIT503 course narrative.
• Leading a project through to pilot testing and launch
• Working with the Director to build capacity to use the CWPro system independently.
• Installing and testing the LTI-based connections between the Moodle LMS and CWPro.
• Producing documentation and orientation for the Director, faculty evaluators, and students.

Results, impact, and lessons learned:

• Students no longer needed to manage two separate logins for course work and e-portfolio tasks. All e-portfolio tasks were integrated within Moodle via LTI links to individual CWPro accounts.
• Close collaboration and instructional design dialogue with the Director resulted in streamlining the design of e-portfolio tasks. CRIT503, as a whole, became more succinct and less complex for both students and instructors.
• The PLA portfolio process became less proprietary and dependent on the individual knowledge of the Director. This enabled the Director to delegate CRIT503 to other instructors without having to explain how an entire “home grown” e-portfolio system worked.
• E-portfolio content was made more secure and accessible than the prior WordPress multisite instance.
• Assessment strategies were reviewed resulting in simplified assessment instruments and student feedback tasks.
• Communication was streamlined between the PLA director, Academic Affairs, and the Registrar.
• Lesson Learned: Migration is an opportunity for self-assessment, improvement, and creative experimentation.