The management process at Athabasca University is getting better!
Starting in January 2026, AU is implementing a state-of-the-art electronic portfolio system that will empower students to create their best work. The existing platform, Mahara, will be decommissioned. Moving forward, all e-Portfolios at AU will be managed through PebblePad.
While offering similar functionality to Mahara, PebblePad provides a much more user-friendly experience for students working with e-Portfolios.
This technology will help us adapt to the changing needs of our learners, giving them a world-class experience like no other as they develop, edit, and refine their e-Portfolios—no matter which program they’re in.
Elaine Fabbro, interim Associate Vice-President, Learner Experience
This new, simplified and robust platform will include workbooks and instructions embedded in the platform and will provide more customization options, which will allow students to work more creatively and independently.
This change will affect all students who use an e-Portfolio, including in the Master of Education program. The new Bachelor of Environmental Studies program will also use PebblePad for e-Portfolios when the program launches in January 2026.
In early 2026, the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition team will contact PLAR students with specific instructions to download or transfer their e-Portfolio depending on what stage of the PLAR process they have completed. PLAR students with questions should contact the PLAR team.
Current students who are affected by the change will receive emails with detailed instructions on how to transition their work from Mahara to PebblePad. Students with questions about how this change will affect them should contact their program advisors for more information.