Semantic Web and ePortfolios

After working on a comprehensive faculty eportfolio for several years now (myMAPP) I have begun to realize that the classification of the entries is extremly important.  Currently the entries are put into the system each having their own ontology.  It is this ontology that provides the description that is used by the system to automatically map them to quality standards.  It is this ability to describe the content provided by the semantics that will drive the use of ePortfolios at all levels of our lives. 

From our childrens' schools to human resources at work, I think the semantic web will provide the framework for the application of these concepts.  This data can be captured in a variety of ways but essentially it is this classification that will make it easier to evalute or assess the events or items in a users portfolio.  Almost like the pure content driven portfolio can now be merged with the data driven desires of the those who need to assess the data they provide. 

Assessment then combines together the data and the classfications to create the knowledge needed to evaluate a portfolio or a programs success.  Its easy to put some of these concepts into a box and only look at them in relation to the higher education context but they do indeed have relevance in many fields.  Thus the whole idea behind the semantic web, that of classifying knowledge and applying the results to other areas to create new knowledge, is being approached.  Many of the technoloigies used in these systems are called "Web 2.0".  Maybe the next wave in higher education will be Knowledge 2.0, with a different way of looking at teaching and learning.

This all ties in nicely with the upcoming ELI 2006 Fall Focus Session in Broomfield in September "Supporting Learning with Technology: Assessment's Role".  There are several sessions that are going to focus on these issues.  The UNO myMAPP team will be presenting as well. 

Wow -  This could really be fun. :)