The design of an Enhanced Curricular Evaluation + Portfolio (ECE+P) software system

A process for curricular monitoring and providing feedback for the continuous improvement Of curricula was presented recently by Moore and Voltmer (2000). The original process was designed to include instructors, administrators, and external reviewers. A subsequent study of the existing software and enhanced capabilities lead to an expansion of the vision and scope of the original evaluation process. The study precipitated the design of a new software system that expands the curricular monitoring to include the student. Improved interaction between the student and instructor as well as grading capabilities is included in the expanded system, the Enhanced Curricular Evaluation + Portfolio (ECE+P) system. An additional enhancement enables every student to store private files and create secure portfolios to which students can grant viewing rights to external guests. The ECE+P system was designed using a Unified Modeling Language (UML) software development tool that allows requirement changes to be incorporated easily. The tool also provides system specifications that can be implemented using various platforms. A discussion of the ECE+P system and the UML tool is included in the full paper and presentation.