Using ePortfolios

Explanation

ePortfolios icon.

Eportfolios provide a personal space where students can select, organise and showcase their work. They can be used in a variety of ways to present evidence of learning to a selected audience.

‘An ePortfolio is a purposeful aggregation of digital items – ideas, evidence, reflections, feedback etc which presents; a selected audience with evidence of a persons learning and/or ability; Sutherland, S. and Powell, A. (2007), Cetis SIG mailing list discussions [www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/cetis-portfolio.html] 9 July 2007

The primary aim of an ePortfolio may be to present evidence for summative assessment to demonstrate achievement, to record progress or to provide a space for personal development and reflective learning.

Benefits of Using ePortfolios

Like traditional portfolios, ePortfolios can facilitate reflection and can be used as a means to motivate and engage learners in a learning model appropriate to a digital age.

ePortfolios can be used to:

  • Develop and present a portfolio of work.
  • Present a reflective account of learning.
  • Keep evidence of transferable skills gained.
  • Support job applications and applications for professional accreditations.
  • Help with self-assessment of learning performance.
  • Provide evidence of academic progress.
  • Prepare a project / assignment for assessment / evaluation.

Hands-on sessions can benefit learners new to ePortfolios and help to assess a learners’ ability to work independently.

Tips/Good Practice

  • Encourage the personalisation of ePortfolios to motivate and engage learners.
  • Use scaffolded tasks and templates for ePortfolios to develop learners’ ability to present their content.
  • Use feedback to help learners to overcome difficulties and develop their reflective capabilities.

Useful Links to websites or Resources for Brightspace 

References to Scholarly Articles 
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Ephraim A. Okoro, Melvin C. Washington, Peter W. Cardon. (2011). EPortfolios in Business Communication Courses as Tools for Employment. Volume: 74 issue: 3 page(s): 347:351.

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Tracey Hooker. (2017). Transforming teachers’ formative assessment practices through ePortfolios. Volume 67, October 2017, Pages 440-453.

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Chi-Cheng Chang (2014) Using e-portfolios to elevate knowledge amassment among university students. Volume 72, March 2014, pages 187-195.

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Rosângela Minardi Mitre Cotta, Glauce Dias da Costa, & Mendonça, É. T. (2013). Reflective portfolio: A proposal for teaching and learning geared on competencies. Ciência & Saúde Coletiva, 18(6), 1847.

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James Cousins (2016). Student Assessment and the ePortfolio. Volume 28, issue 2.