About SkillWise

SkillWise VQManager®

VQManager® is the most functionally rich e-portfolio solution available and brings together the operations of an e-portfolio, a workflow manager and a reporting tool within one powerful self-contained package.
VQManager offers the following attributes:

• Flexibility - whatever your current process, our e-portfolio is designed to fit
• Fully Comprehensive - encompasses every aspect of assessment management such as Assessment Planning and recording of Guided Learning Hours
• Intelligent Software - artificial intelligence engine gleans maximum value from evidence submissions
• Learning Delivery - delivers Guided Learning Hours
• Advanced management reporting - predict six months in advance students who will not complete within the time frame
• Most endorsed - the comfort of broad Awarding Body approval

SkillWise UK Ltd, Venture House, Arlington Square
Downshire Way, Bracknell, Berkshire, RG12 1WA
Contact: Paul Greenhalgh
Tel: +44 1344 742807   Fax: +44 1344 742947
Email: UKSales@SkillWise.net

Website: www.skillwise.net/

Case Study: Guildford College

The qualification was Plumbing NVQ Level 2. This introduced some initial challenges because it was not clear whether students doing this kind of qualification would be comfortable with the electronic process. However, it was felt that success in this area would provide an excellent measure of the e-portfolio's effectiveness.

The Project

Initially two training sessions were run, one to train the assessors and another for the students. Guildford College made use of the ability to customise assessment plans, i.e. to provide real world 'how to' guidance to help students generate the right kind of evidence. In the first 6 weeks from launching, students submitted an average of 29 evidence submissions each.

Outcomes

The following aspects were highlighted:

• Even during the summer break, Assessors were able to check whether any work had been submitted to them.
• The students preferred to submit electronically, rather that writing by hand.  They felt this fitted in with their lifestyle better.
• There were no access problems - All users found the system easy to access and easy to use.  The students in fact liked the ability to work from home in the evenings and send work to the Assessors.
• The customised assessment plans help the students to know exactly what kinds of evidence they should collect.
• Turn around of assessment was much faster that with the traditional approach as the Assessors were able to immediately assess and feed back to the students.
• Overall it was estimated that VQManager reduced the assessment time by up to 25%.