Published on: 14/09/2023 · Last updated on: 24/10/2025
Assessment Type: Coursework (Portfolio)
The TEL recommended workflow is below, for a summative e-portfolio assessment approach, using Mahara and Moodle. If you are setting formative assessment of an e-portfolio visit Mahara – Formative. The guidance provided is for typical use of Mahara.
Scenario – Submitting Mahara portfolio work for grading in a Moodle Assignment
Moodle Assignments allow for submission of Mahara portfolio work (Pages or Collections) so that grading and feedback can be undertaken in Moodle alongside other assessments.
Recommended workflow:
1. Create a Moodle Assignment for Mahara submission
Staff can create a Moodle Assignment, selecting the option to allow Mahara submission. This allows students to submit from their list of available Mahara Pages and Collections. Set the option for Lock submitted portfolios to Yes, keep locked for a final submission. Keep the default option to Archive when graded enabled to ensure a snapshot copy of the submitted portfolio is taken for future reference.
It is possible to use a Moodle rubric or marking guide to assess the work. If using simple grading, the total mark should remain at the default 100, and students should be provided with assessment criteria either through the Assignment description or in an uploaded document.
2. Students submit their work to the Moodle Assignment
When students access the Assignment, they will be presented with a list of their available Mahara Pages and Collections. They can submit one item to the submission point. With the option Lock submitted portfolios selected, this creates a ‘submitted copy’ of the portfolio.
Within Mahara, the original portfolio remains unlocked (editable). Within Mahara, students can search for and View submitted portfolios. The title of the submitted portfolio is amended autotmatically to display the submitted date and time. The portfolio is locked (i.e. not editable).
3. Staff review and provide feedback
Staff can View all submissions within the Moodle Assignment, where they will see a web link to the ‘submitted copy‘ of the student’s portfolio. The link will open in the Mahara interface, in a new web browser window or tab.
In the Moodle Assignment staff can Grade the submission, providing a Grade and overview Feedback Comments.
If staff also want to use a Smart Evidence Framework to provide feedback, or add comments directly on the portfolio, they should update assessment statuses and place final feedback comments on the submitted copy of the portfolio from the link in the Moodle Assignment. Comments, feedback and Smart Evidence assessment status will appear on the submitted copy of the portfolio, and will not be visible on the student’s original portfolio.
4. Staff release results and feedback
Once all the grades and feedback are completed, the Marking workflow can be changed to ‘release‘ grades and overview feedback to students in Moodle. An archive (i.e. a snapshot copy) of the portfolio will be saved in Mahara. The archive snapshot is taken when Grades are released to the Moodle Gradebook.
5. Students review feedback
Once released students can visit the Assignment submission point to view the grades and feedback.