Good post from elearnspace.

Cross-institution studies, informal learning (in the form of a portfolio, and other online activities are kept in separate containers. For education, an identity system should be one that allows users not only to authenticate, but to bring the content of their learning activities into a space each individual controls. In this regard, I find portfolios to be of greater value than a simple ID system.

This should be the same in practice networks.  Those who are practicing ILP, or Body For Life, or completing daily advaita lessons - all of these fundamental activities - and any associated learning/online trail - should be controlled BY the individual, through their own identity and associated attributes - then these would be relayed to any application/systems through an agreed upon open protocol.

I've had this discussion - or at least posted a couple of comments about eportfolio functionality - to Brian Johnson at zaadz, previously. 

This type of networked "skill and growth" portfolio - we'll see if there is a market for it, and, if there is, who will be the first social network to enact it.