E-qual Paperless Portfolio will change the way you deliver qualifications into a more efficient, cost effective process. Using an e-portfolio leads to a more dynamic assessment process, dramatically speeding up assessment and verification.
What is an e-portfolio?
E-portfolios are still a relatively new concept and there is still some debate as to what an e-portfolio actually is. Each e-portfolio provider seems to develop a system to suit a particular purpose. Some systems are built with a specific qualification type in mind, where others are simply a data store for users to upload files with very little structure.
E-qual Paperless Portfolio was built with vocational qualifications in mind. However, as we designed the software, we made sure it was very flexible so that it is able to handle many types of qualification. The system is updated and evolves as qualifications and technology changes.
Candidates build portfolios online.
Using the internet, candidates can build their portfolios online, and submit evidence for assessment. Documents are uploaded to their File Store within E-qual by candidates, assessors and expert witnesses. These documents can then be cross-referenced to the specific criteria of the qualification.
Once the evidence has been added, assessors can review the submissions and provide feedback. Verification of candidates' work can be carried out without having to visit the centre or even contact the candidate or assessor directly. Using E-qual means that training providers, external verifiers and awarding body managers can view a portfolio whenever they require and the candidate's employer can, if the provider permits it, also have access to portfolios.
Cost effectiveUsing an e-portfolio has other advantages such as cutting down on paper usage, eliminating the problems associated with managing, storing and transporting bulky folders and reducing the need for assessment and verification staff to make journeys to training providers.
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Benefits for candidatesUsing E-qual gives candidates more flexibility to study when and where they want. An online system means that candidates can upload and submit evidence as they create it. They can receive feedback regularly and without the need for constant face-to-face meetings. They can track their progress online which leads to a more dynamic assessment process, increased motivation and faster completion times. 
Upload evidence as it created.The software is user friendly and incredibly easy to use. If a user can attach a document to an email, they have the skills and knowledge required to submit evidence in E-qual, it's that easy! Evidence is easier to create and manage through the E-qual File Store rather than using a paper based system. There is no reliance on a single folder of paper which can get lost or be in the wrong place at the wrong time. There are a wider range of formats of evidence that can be added to the candidates portfolio than can be created on paper. E-qual will accept any digital document including Office files, images from digital cameras and scanners, audio recordings and video.
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Benefits for assessors and verifiers
Flexibility to work anywhere.With E-qual, assessors and verifiers no longer need to worry about looking at bulky folders of paper or visiting candidates to see their evidence. All their work is instantly accessable online from anywhere with an internet connection. This means that assessors and verifiers are not restricted to a single centre or location and their work can be carried out flexibly when required.
Assessors can help the candidate to build the portfolio, or where appropriate, take over the process of submitting evidence completely. Powerful tools such as Multi-attach help assessors to quickly submit lots of uploaded evidence, and an automatically created Evidence Matrix give assessors an overview of the submitted evidence in a portfolio. For verifiers, an easy to use sampling and feedback system ensures that their work is recorded and immediately available to the assessment team. It also provides them with a way of monitoring their own sampling and ensuring that they are completing their work effectively. An online E-qual system will reduce the need for assessors and verifiers to visit workplaces or training centres. Never again will verifiers have to visit a centre and be faced with tables full of folders waiting for them to sample, they can complete their work online, at their own pace and convenience. ^ top
Benefits for training providers and approved centres
No more paper-based folders.There are many advantages for the provider, particularly in the reduction of administration overheads, allowing them to more efficient and effective. Imagine an assessment process where you never have to deal with paper-based folders. No packages of portfolios to post out or have delivered, no candidate paperwork getting lost, no spending hours photocopying portfolios. With E-qual, all your portfolios are managed online in one place, accessable at any time. E-qual provides a system for immediate feedback to the candidate. This cuts down on the need for face-to-face meetings between the candidate and assessment team, saving a huge amount of travelling time and expenses. Consequently, assessors and verifiers become more efficient, leading to faster qualification completion times. The knock-on effect of this is the ability to increase their caseload and manage more candidates.
An online system means that assessors and verifiers no longer need to work from an established centre. They can carry out their duties from any suitable environment with an appropriate internet connection. It also means organisations can employee specialist assessment and verification staff from remote locations, potentially from anywhere in the world. They don't have to work from the centre or workplace, they can carry out all their activities just by going online. Another advantage is that organisations can support candidates from anywhere, not just locally.
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