Are my candidates' e-portfolios secure?
Everything is password protected and backed up on a daily basis. Providing you and your candidates keep your password secure, no unauthorised access can be made to the system.
What happens if it all gets lost on the web?
This cannot happen. All files are backed up and saved on a daily basis. The system has now been operational for over 3 years and without ever losing a single document.
Can candidates' employers see their e-portfolios?
Candidate information is confidential between the assessor and verifier. Employers may receive updates on their candidates? progress, but not access to their e-portfolios unless candidates authorise it.
Can I operate Learning Assistant from home?
You can access the system anywhere you can get an Internet connection. You can even do it on holiday!
Do you have to be good with computers to use Learning Assistant?
Any learner with experience of using the Internet and Email will face no difficulties in gaining full advantage of the Learning Assistant system. No advanced IT skills are required, in fact, learners often find that an added benefit of the system is that it adds to the development of their own IT skills.
How are the e-portfolios internally verified?
Your internal verifier can sign on and review candidate's folders at any time. However, when verification samples are selected, they will verify that unit and provide feedback in the contact diary - usually as a private entry. The unit verified, will then be highlighted purple on your overview within Candidate Manager.
Can external verifiers view e-portfolios?
External verifiers can request their sample in the usual way by visiting the centre. However, Learning Assistant can also give them remote access to view the selected candidates from another location. This would normally be done through a request to the centre detailing the sample and the access would be given for a set length of time.
How do you authenticate evidence?
In very similar ways as to how you currently authenticate evidence. Your internal verifiers will guide you on the centre requirements, but the normal methods are candidate interviews, verbal questioning, witness testimonies, observations, etc. You as the Assessor still have to make the judgement that the evidence is the candidate?s own work.
What do the awarding bodies say?
City and Guilds have endorsed Learning Assistant. SQA have a policy of not endorsing any product but are happy for their centres to use the system. Other awarding bodies can be contacted at the request of any centre for guidance and authorisation. All awarding bodies are looking at ways of enhancing the learning experience and know that the available technology has to be used wherever possible.
