Abstract

MiM (Mahara in Music) was a project which stemmed from the introduction of ePortfolio into a module as part of a BA (Hons) Music programme at York St John University. The project aimed to analyse the impact the ePortfolio had upon assessment, employability thinking and the students reaction to mobile learning but more indirectly- the pedagogical implications it had on staff, curriculum design and how it may have impacted on staff-student roles. The research highlighted a number of issues that were not expected: that students aren’t all as technology-proficient as presumed, students were uncomfortable about creating online content, they did not view their musical achievements as transferrable until encouraged to reflect upon their academic journey, and an alarming number of students did not have an occupational aim for life after their university course was completed. In light of this the project was designed to address these issues and the criteria for the YSJU Learning and Teaching Project Bid Themes:
• Mobile learning - To be delivered as one element of an overall programme of learning interventions in the context of a blend rather than the primary delivery channel for content.
• Assessment - To use Mahara (ePortfolio ) creatively for a combination of formative and summative assessment
• Employability - To create new strategies to embed graduate skills within curriculum, create learning opportunities to develop students’ enterprise skills.

This research tracked students’ progress through formative assessment points, pre- and post- module questionnaires, focus groups, and through the creation of an ePortfolio which was used as a reflexive learning tool, summative assessment framework and ultimately a multi-media-and-digital curriculum vitae. This paper summarises the multifaceted and evolutionary nature of the MiM project as it continues into its third academic year.