PIOP PebblePad

One of the PIOP 3 Portfolio interoperability projects funded by the JISC

Overview
Pebble Learning is an established PIOP partner and a recognised leader in e-portfolio interoperability. As part of the original projects we helped develop the LEAP2A specification, working closely with colleagues to help establish its utility.

The complexity and breadth of the PebblePad means that a proportionally greater amount of work is required to successfully implement this emergent specification. The extension projects have provided the necessary resource to implement LEAP2A across the wide range of learner-owned assets supported by PebblePad. In the original projects we contributed new extensions to the Argotic Library; additional extensions has been developed; documented and published as part of previous work.

We will continue to work closely with the established partners; a necessity if the specification is be developed into a viable alternative to IMS eP. Additionally we will support new partners though technical consultancy provided both in the form of project documentation and the provision of telephone and email support.

PIOP3
PebblePad will continue to extend the use of the LEAP2A specification through the further development of an open source Moodle Block which will facilitate the export of LEAP2A zip-packages from Moodle v1.9. This will enable any Moodle user to export Moodle items as LEAP2A assets and import them into other compatible programmes or tools, for example PebblePad or Mahara.

The enhanced Moodle block will enable the following items to be exported in the LEAP2A format as a downloadable file:
 * Any file previously uploaded into Moodle
 * Moodle blog contributions
 * Moodle forums
 * Resources (for example course materials uploaded by tutors)
 * Assignments (including the task, submission and feedback)

Who to contact
Matthew Wheeler will act as Project Manager and will ensure adherence to the timeframe; stated outputs and programme commitments; and will be the primary contact.

Andrew Everson, Senior Technical Developer will carry out primary development work. Andrew has worked on a number of JISC projects including ePISTLE; LIPID; and PIOP.

Andrew will provide support and technical consultancy to any new partners joining the PIOP project and continue to support other partners for this extension funding.

Stuart Buck, Technical Developer, will carry out additional development work.

Stuart has worked on the integration of Moodle with PebblePad utilising the LEAP2A specification. Stuart will work with partners to provide test environments and to conduct and document import and export routines.

Joanne Edgecombe is a certified Testing Technician. Joanne will support Andrew and Stuart’s work by developing and conducting unit tests.

The primary contact is Matthew Wheeler. Project communication will be directed through [mailto:piop@pebblepad.co.uk piop@pebblepad.co.uk]

Previous PIOP projects

 * Mapped additional PebblePad assets to the LEAP2A specification and communicating to partners any limitations encountered;


 * Worked with new project partners to clarify the design decisions underlying the draft specification; communicated a vision for eportfolio interoperability developed by originating partners; responded to emergent needs from the wider community and to support ongoing development;


 * Contributed materials, resources, code; and use cases to the project wiki;


 * Provided accounts and support to partners importing and exporting PebblePad assets, and feedback to partners whose assets we import into PebblePad;


 * Promoting the overall project to the wider eportfolio community to increase awareness of the emergent specification and its promise as a viable stable mate to extant specifications.

What we will have delivered previously

 * LEAP2A applied across all core PebblePad asset types
 * Add unsupported elements for normal assets
 * Notes & reviews
 * Multiple authors
 * Grades & feedback ?
 * CPD Hours
 * Webfolio
 * Templates
 * Formatting
 * LEAP2A links within HTML
 * Proforma
 * Profiler
 * Activity record
 * Activity log
 * A user interface developed to allow users to select LEAP2A assets
 * Asset selection interface
 * Selection interface when importing and exporting
 * Provide users with a way to import unsupported items
 * Holding area for unsupported items or interactive import
 * Work with partners on a file packaging format to allow seamless transfers
 * Zip file format or similar
 * Contribute additional extensions to the Argotic Library
 * Provide support and consultancy to new partners
 * Conduct import and export tests on competency-based transfers
 * Conduct iterative transfers between systems to avoid data loss/degradation

Links to materials
PebblePad field mapping: http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/leap2aspec/PebblePad-LEAP2A-Mapping.xls

PebblePad type mapping: http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/leap2aspec/LEAP2A-Type-Mapping.xls

Static example file (2010-07): http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/leap2aspec/export2.zip

.NET 3.5 Syndication Framework Extensions: http://code.google.com/p/leapdotnet/

PebblePad Install
URL: http://portfolio.pebblepad.co.uk/leap2a

Username: piop

Password: piop

Atom import and export is available from tools:

Import -> eportfolio package

Export -> your entire portfolio

Or the import and export pages can be accessed directly.

Atom exporter: http://portfolio.pebblepad.co.uk/leap2a/interop/exportselection.aspx

Atom importer: http://portfolio.pebblepad.co.uk/leap2a/interop/import.aspx

Old Versions
Static example file (2009-03): http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/leap2aspec/export.zip

Old URL: http://www.pebbleweb.co.uk/v2

Live Atom feed: http://www.pebbleweb.co.uk/v2/interop/atom.aspx

Atom importer: http://www.pebbleweb.co.uk/v2/interop/atomimport.aspx

Static example file (old): http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/interopfiles/piop.xml

Argotic Atom extensions (old): http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/leap2a/LeapArgoticExtensions.zip