What does an ITQ portfolio look like?
ITQ assessors produce 'paperwork' whether it is in the form of decisions records, observation forms, feedback reports or video'd/audio capture of professional discussions. All this evidence shows the candidate's competence and achievement but it is worth remembering that not all candidates' evidence needs to be in their portfolio. Much of the evidence can remain 'in situ' and be referred to within the ITQ documentation.
An ITQ Internal Verifier needs to monitor candidate evidence - not only for verification and validation purposes but also to ensure that superfluous or irrelevant evidence isn't included. If a portfolio contains evidence other than what has been stated within assessment plans then it might indicate a need to support and train the assessor in being able to recognise valid and appropriate evidence.
A bulky or large portfolio doesn't indicate that the candidate is more capable or competent than another candidate with a slim-line set of electronic files.
E-portfolios
As technologies develop and become affordable and available, this has allowed the electronic storage of candidate evidence to be cost effective and relatively simple to implement.
The term e-portfolio has emerged, and essentially this could be defined as a place where files can be saved; onto a USB memory stick or stored onto a CD. In a grander fashion it could be an online storage place that is password-protected and secure for access by candidates, assessors and verifiers only.
Candidates' work can be scanned into a portfolio system or simply uploaded directly into a password-protected area and feedback to the candidate entered directly into the portfolio or linked to an email response.
A paperless portfolio, as its name suggests, can reduce the amount of paper produced but it also provides an opportunity to keep documents and product evidence in one place.
So what commercial e-portfolio systems are suitable for ITQ?
As an ITQ Internal Verifier you may well wish to engage with an e-portfolio system. You will need to be guided by your Awarding Body who might suggest a particular product. 
The British Computer Society has its own e-portfolio system for BCS ITQ Centres. The CASy (Candidate Administration System) portfolio is web-based and enables candidates to upload documentation of evidence for their assigned Assessor. The ITQ IV gains access and gives feedback to both assessor and candidate. Ultimately the BCS External Verifier gains access for final sign-off. Video tutorials of CASy system can be viewed at the BCS website. (http://www.bcs.org/server.php?show=nav.8138) 
OCR suggest 6 commercial systems that they consider as being acceptable for verification purposes. (http://www.ocr.org.uk/eassessment/eportfolio/nvq.html) In addition, OCR has produced a useful guide relating to e-portfolio use looking at issues such as:
- How accessible an e-portfolio is
- How cross-referencing works
- Can a candidate's progress be monitored?
- Does the product provide an audit trail?
- Looking at security.
- Is it user-friendly?
OCR's Guide 'Getting Started with e-portfolios'.
Learning Assistant (http://www.learningassistant.com/) has been endorsed by City & Guilds since June 2004 and provides an online portfolio system. 
Video 'The Learning Assistant tour'
Should ITQ portfolio systems be designed like this RAPID tool to attract and appeal to IT users?
Watch this YouTube video: 
How have centres used e-portfolios?
West Cheshire College use e-portfolios with ITQ candidates. They have experienced success factors as well as concerns but realise the great benefit to ITQ candidates.
Read the West Cheshire College case study
Bishop Auckland has been using e-portfolios for at least a year. Listen to Linda Richardson describe how they use the BCS CASy system. 
Wirral Metropolitan College uses the e-NVQ system as this is a City & Guilds approved product. "It is a straightforward system and one that provides a good audit trail. It gets updated regularly including a recent addition - the Action Plan - that tracks and informs IVs of what needs to be done. There's also a maze icon so the candidates can easily see what they still need to do." Jackie Ling. Curriculum Leader and ITQ Internal Verifier.
Should there be any concerns about using e-portfolios?
ITQ Internal Verifiers might not have a choice about which e-portfolio to use in their ITQ Centre but they do have the responsibility to ensure that they and their assessors check candidate evidence to ensure its authenticity. Regular standardisation meetings to review candidate evidence should identify any inconsistencies of candidate's work and presentation.
Another possible concern about e-portfolios is who owns the folio of work. Many commercial e-portfolio systems don't have the function to export completed folders in a format for a candidate to take away. 
Do you know if your e-portfolio is portable? Can a candidate take a folder of work away with them on completion albeit electronically? Has this been made clear to your ITQ candidates at Induction?
Let's consider the standardisation procedure
Last modified: 16 Nov 2007
