▲ 'EPiC Folio' website at SeoulTech

 

 

  What is the EPiC Folio?

  EPiC Folio (EF) is a competency management system for students run by the Office of Educational Innovation at SeoulTech. This program supports students’ learning processes to improve students’ core competencies and develop students’ future career design. It consists of five main functions: Core Competency, Extra-Curricular Program, Future Design, Employment, and Portfolio.

  This program already existed before 2021. However, it was remodeled that year establishing the new graduation requirements.

  A manager in the Office of Educational Innovation, who is in charge of EPiC Folio, said that "The main purpose of EPiC Folio is to provide students with extra-curricular programs, various counseling, and core competency diagnostics."

  He also added, "From 2019 to 2020, all classes and activities at the university were online due to COVID-19, but as face-to-face classes were reopened and the educational environment changed positively since 2021, a wide variety of programs has been activated and the size of education has also been growing."

 

  A Perception Survey on EPiC Folio

  44 students from 16 departments were surveyed about EPiC Folio.

  The survey topics consisted of the frequency of use of EPiC Folio, whether the menu was used, and the pros and cons of the program.

  This survey was only distributed to students in the first-third year who entered the university from 2021 to 2023 who were eligible for EPiC graduation requirements.

  Q1. How often do you visit EPiC Folio?

  According to the survey, 20 of 44 students, nearly half of the respondents, replied that they had visited the EPiC Folio website ‘once per semester.’ A quarter of students 'never' visited the EPiC Folio, and another quarter of students visited once in 2-3 weeks.

 

  Q2. Which function have you used in EPiC Folio?

  The most used function in EPiC Folio was ‘Extra-Curricular Program.’ 65.9% of students have used this, and 21 of 44 students replied that they used this function most. In fact, the Extra Curricular Program was pointed out as the biggest strength of the EPiC Folio. Students expected high-quality lectures and courses in this program. It provides classes of humanities, communication, academics, global competence, and creativeness.

  The second function that students used most was ‘Core Competency.’ 45.5% of students have used this, followed by ‘Portfolio (25%)', ‘Future Design (18.2%)', and ‘Employment (6.8%).’

 

  Students’ Opinion on EPiC Folio

  Unfortunately, only a quarter of students believe that EPiC Folio is helpful for their future career, competency, and employment. More than half of the students answered ‘neutral.’ 20% percent of the students showed negative responses to the usefulness of EPiC Folio.

 

  Regarding its pros and cons, students considered the wide variety of Extra-Curricular programs as the biggest strength. However, there were much more negative opinions than positive answers on EPiC Folio.

  First, due to its poor accessibility, they did not usually use EF.

  Second, students complained about its compulsory trait that students must fill their EF scores above a certain level to graduate.

  At this point, they feel EF is only a means to graduate. The students also said that they don’t know what to do with EF due to the lack of publicity, necessity, and information. Minyoung Song (Public Administration) added, "Some students who enrolled at university late are bound to face the lack of information."

  Donghwan Kim (New Material Engineering) said, "The advantage is that you can find various programs in addition to undergraduate classes which are helpful for your career, but the disadvantage is that you have to enter the website and search for them in person and then repeat this again and again."

  Dawon Jung (Visual Design) added, "It is good to approach career aptitude a little more with a little coercion. However, there is a disadvantage in that it is not of practical help."

  Yoojin Park (Public Administration) said, "There are so many great activities that students can apply to, such as 'Withus club’ and ‘Reading Club,’ but many students perceive it only as a means to meet graduation requirements. I think most of the functions should be promoted better.”

  Meanwhile, there was a comment that EPiC Folio sometimes lacks for consistency. One of the respondents said, "I chose a second major in Business Administration, because there was an announcement that there will be EF scores for the students who take double majors. I was even approved for the EF scores. However, my EF scores were suddenly gone and the menu disappeared. When I asked the related department, they said it was withdrawn and they changed it to give the assigned scores to the students who take the ‘Discovery Degree,’ which opens in summer vacation. They apologized that they announced this after they approved the EF scores."

  An official of the Office of Educational Innovation said that they have put endless effort into promoting EF. They regularly hold briefing sessions to assistants and staff in the university to help them guide students on how to enter. They also post announcements about program information and any changes on "University Notices' menu at the SeoulTech website.

 

  Reporter,

  Seunghoe Koo rokeet@seoultech.ac.kr