MAPS (software)
Encyclopedia
MAPS is a proprietary web-based Assessment or EPortfolio service. The software is entirely web services based and provides an array of evidence recording tools which are structured around a blog or learner diary. Users can belong to mulitple institutions and individual portfolios are owned entirely by the individual. The individual then chooses which institution or institutions to share their portfolios with. Institutions get an aggregated view of portfolios which are members of the institution.
The system is primarily used in the UK Education sector and has been involved in a number of Awarding Body projects and qualifications with Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
, Edexcel
, Scottish Qualifications Authority
and Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations.
MAPS provides the functionality for OCR's iMedia qualification, the first ever paperless qualification.
A electronic portfolio
activity is made up from a number of objectives, criteria or competences. Evidence mapped to a portfolio task can in turn be mapped to these criteria using the Red Pen tool. Evidence loaded into the service is automatically converted into a format that can be viewed within a browser. The tool then allows different users to create layers of annotations in both text and audio format. Assessment criteria can also be dragged into place on the document thus allowing evidence to be linked to precise points within the evidence.
User portfolios can also be accessed using a syndicated RSS
newsfeed. This allows controlled access to user eportfolios by other interested parties.
An integrated CV tool allows users to provide controlled access to their CVs for the purpose of employment.
MAPS also incorporates a suite of tool entitled LiveAssess which are the commercial version of those developed by Goldsmiths University in a project entitled e-scape
.
Since MAPS is 100% a web service
it can be integrated into any other platform.
The system is primarily used in the UK Education sector and has been involved in a number of Awarding Body projects and qualifications with Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
Assessment and Qualifications Alliance
AQA is an Awarding Body in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. It compiles specifications and holds examinations in various subjects at GCSE, AS and A Level and offers vocational qualifications. AQA is a registered charity and independent of the Government...
, Edexcel
Edexcel
Edexcel, a UK company, is one of England, Wales and Northern Ireland's five main examination boards, and is wholly owned by the private-sector Pearson PLC, a UK-based media and publishing conglomerate. Its name is a portmanteau word derived from the words "educational" and "excellence"...
, Scottish Qualifications Authority
Scottish Qualifications Authority
The Scottish Qualifications Authority is a non-departmental public body responsible for accreditation and awarding. It is partly funded by the Education and Lifelong Learning Directorate of the Scottish Government, employing 750 staff, based in Glasgow and Dalkeith...
and Oxford, Cambridge and RSA Examinations.
MAPS provides the functionality for OCR's iMedia qualification, the first ever paperless qualification.
Features
MAPS users create reflections in a blog or learner diary which can include action plans, abilities, achievements, experiences and thoughts. Each blog entry can then be mapped to a portfolio activity which can be assigned by another person from an institution to which the user belongs.A electronic portfolio
Electronic portfolio
An electronic portfolio, also known as an e-portfolio or digital portfolio, is a collection of electronic evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Web. Such electronic evidence may include inputted text, electronic files, images, multimedia, blog entries, and hyperlinks...
activity is made up from a number of objectives, criteria or competences. Evidence mapped to a portfolio task can in turn be mapped to these criteria using the Red Pen tool. Evidence loaded into the service is automatically converted into a format that can be viewed within a browser. The tool then allows different users to create layers of annotations in both text and audio format. Assessment criteria can also be dragged into place on the document thus allowing evidence to be linked to precise points within the evidence.
User portfolios can also be accessed using a syndicated RSS
RSS
-Mathematics:* Root-sum-square, the square root of the sum of the squares of the elements of a data set* Residual sum of squares in statistics-Technology:* RSS , "Really Simple Syndication" or "Rich Site Summary", a family of web feed formats...
newsfeed. This allows controlled access to user eportfolios by other interested parties.
An integrated CV tool allows users to provide controlled access to their CVs for the purpose of employment.
MAPS also incorporates a suite of tool entitled LiveAssess which are the commercial version of those developed by Goldsmiths University in a project entitled e-scape
E-scape
E-scape is a project run by the Technology Education Research Unit at Goldsmiths University of London, England that developed an approach to the authentic assessment of creativity and collaboration based on open-ended but structured activities...
.
Since MAPS is 100% a web service
Web service
A Web service is a method of communication between two electronic devices over the web.The W3C defines a "Web service" as "a software system designed to support interoperable machine-to-machine interaction over a network". It has an interface described in a machine-processable format...
it can be integrated into any other platform.