ePortfolio Effectiveness: A Conversation on Accessing the Evidence Jessica R. Chittum, Virginia Tech Lauren H. Bryant, the Friday Institute

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ePortfolio Effectiveness: A Conversation on Accessing the Evidence Jessica R. Chittum, Virginia Tech Lauren H. Bryant, the Friday Institute

Introductions Share your:  name,  institution,  why you’re here  one adjective you use to describe ePortfolio

1 Minute Discussion “What do you know about ePortfolio?”

Background Bryant, L. H., & Chittum, J. R. (2013). ePortfolio effectiveness: A(n ill-fated) search for empirical support. International Journal of ePortfolio, 3 (2), Why assess the landscape of ePortfolio research? o As of 2008, 51% of public and private universities and colleges incorporated some form of ePortfolio in students’ learning experiences (Clark & Eynon, 2009) o ePortfolio use tripled from 2003 to 2005 (Clark & Eynon, 2009) o Selecting, implementing, and maintaining ePortfolio programs requires resources, which are currently in short supply This all begs the question: o What do we actually KNOW about how well ePortfolios work?

Overall Findings

Findings The four kinds of ePortfolio research: 1.Argument using theory (41%) 2.Empirical evidence on the affective (36%) 3.Empirical evidence on student outcomes (15%) 4.Investigating the effects of different ePortfolio platforms (8%)

Findings

Findings Descriptive An argument for the use of ePortfolios, often citing learning theory.

Findings Empirical, Affective Original data addressing the participants’ feelings about ePortfolios.

Findings Empirical, Outcomes Presents original data, qualitative or quantitative, on student outcomes (e.g., learning, motivation, engagement).

Findings Empirical, Technological Presents data and models on the structure and usability of ePortfolio platforms.

The search… Much trial and error Had some difficulty finding peer-review papers from the leaders in the field

Growth in ePortfolio Research

The search… Much trial and error Had some difficulty finding peer-review papers from the leaders in the field So, we created: ePortfolio: A Search for Empirical Support

Our Mission We felt that others should benefit from the fruit of our labor. Purpose of the website: 1. Accessibility for researchers and practitioners 2. Community-source the task of keeping this database up-to-date

Explore We need your help: o This website is a “living document”: with your help and the help of website visitors, the database of resources will continue to grow and improve. What might you need from this tool? ePortfolio: A Search for Empirical Support Wiki: eportfolio-effectiveness.wikispaces.com Site: eportfolio-empirical-support.weebly.com

Explore Let’s spend a few minutes exploring (guided) o While we show the site, feel free to explore on your own, too. While we explore, please jot down your thoughts : comments, opinions, ideas, likes, dislikes, etc. (please use the wiki) o Mission o About Us o Research on ePortfolio o Collaborate and Contact Us ePortfolio: A Search for Empirical Support Wiki: eportfolio-effectiveness.wikispaces.com Site: eportfolio-empirical-support.weebly.com

Conversation What is one thing you want (that would help you) that you do not see? How could this be improved? What do you like about this tool? Suggestions for applications, organization, technological tools? How could we represent the research articles visually that would work for users? o (e.g., treemap, upvoting, most cited)

Contact Jessica R. Chittum, Virginia Tech o Lauren H. Bryant, The Friday Institute o Website-specific