Digital Learning Communities on Mahara

During the winter semester 2021/2022, the project started with a comprehensive needs assessment, concept development and the selection of the e-portfolio platform Mahara, which is particularly suitable for self-organised learning groups, as it allows students to create and manage groups independently of courses and lectures. Additionally, Mahara's social features such as groups, forums, messaging and feedback encourage independent networking, collaboration and reflective, self-directed learning processes. 

Mahara was set up in a joint implementation process with the University Computer Centre (URZ) and adapted to the needs of self-organised learning groups. Additional support materials were developed during the content design phase.

During the pilot phase in the summer semester 20223 and winter semester 2023/24, different user groups were able to test the platform for different (potential) applications such as writing groups or language tandems, but also in the context of courses for didactic use for portfolio work.

The project was completed in December 2023 with the launch of the Mahara e-portfolio platform. The platform has been available to all members of the University of Jena since January 2024 and is being further developed with other partner institutions and projects. Feedback options have been integrated into the platform to enable participatory development of the system. In this way, user behaviour can be monitored and the system can be continuously adapted to the needs of lecturers and students.

www.mahara.uni-jena.deExternal link

The digital learning environment on Mahara serves as an extension of the university's own campus and learning management systems, and enables a wide range of benefits for learning in the digital space, including

• Professional and informal exchange,
• facilitating the integration of international students
• collaborative preparation of coursework and exams, as well as practical and project work.

In addition to the collaborative and social functions, Mahara also supports portfolio work by allowing different types of content such as texts, images, videos or audio files to be documented and presented. Learning diaries, personal blogs and reflection portfolios encourage self-reflection and assessment, while the ability to share portfolios and request feedback supports collaboration and peer learning. In addition, Mahara provides the ability to create application portfolios and public blogs.

Are you curious? Do you have any questions about the project or suggestions for the further development of the digital learning communities on Mahara? Please get in touch! We look forward to discussing the project with you and are happy to take on board ideas from the field.