1. Using ePortfolios in Learning & Teaching

2. Some definitions
Definitions of an e-portfolio tend to include the following elements:
A collection of digital elements
Evidence of an individual’s progress and achievements
Formal and informal learning activities
Personally managed and owned by the learner
Can be used for review, reflection and PDP
Can be selectively accessed by other interested parties eg teachers, peers, assessors, awarding bodies, prospective employers’

3. JISC definition
“An e-Portfolio is a purposeful aggregation of digital items ….. …..ideas, evidence, reflections, feedback etc, which “presents” a selected audience with evidence of a person’s learning and /or ability”
Sutherland, S. and Powell, A. (2007) Effective Practice with e-Portfolios, JISC (2008)
JISC publications use a useful and succinct description. Joint Information Systems Committee –JISC is the organisation with responsibility to lead and support the UK education and research community in the innovative use of ICT.
It’s important to establish a common understanding of e-Portfolios – and this is one of the difficulties when it comes to any new learning technology.
What’s missing from this definition I think is the capacity within most e-Portfolio systems for self assessment leading to the setting of personal goals and targets (Personal Development Planning). An e-Portfolio therefore is not simply the digitisation of paper-based portfolios (with perhaps the inclusion of some new media), used to document evidence of achievement. Rather the functionality of e-portfolios enable learners to assemble, demonstrate and reflect on the skills, knowledge and achievement they have built up during their learning experience and document their progress towards personal goals.

4. Assessment & Accreditation
ePortfolio structure
Personal details
Assessment & Accreditation
ePortfolio for...
Repository
ePortfolio for...
Showcase for
Skills &
Knowledge
Typically an ePortfolio system will look something like this.
With inputs into the central file store that will likely include
digital artifacts – ( files like docs/spreadsheets )
Links to online resources – ( web2.0 collaborative tools )
multimedia ( images/sound/video )
Reflective logs ( Blogs/journal/peer review )
PDP processes ( self-evaluation, objective setting & action planning )
e-Portfolios can be constructed depending on purpose. Again ensuring the purpose is clear is necessary to be able to put appropriate systems and support mechanisms in place.
PDP
processes
Icons by DryIcons

5. Institutional e-Portfolio Achievement of Standards
Assessment of Learning
Assessment for Learning
Documentation of Deep Learning
ePortfolio created for multiple purposes
Learner selects items for self-determined purpose (PDP)
Digital archive of evidence + self-evaluation
Accreditation
Submitted to assessment management system
Assessor determines and evaluates evidence
Digital archive of evidence + evaluation
Institutional e-Portfolio
Achievement of Standards
Learner e-Portfolio
Growth & Development
Literature suggests that e-Portfolios can be characterised by purpose. Achievement of standards – meeting minimum standards (accountability purposes)
Documentation of deep learning – showing growth and development over time (learning purposes)
Resumes to show competency - showing best work (marketing purposes)
e-Portfolios promise support for both high stakes assessment and deep learning.
There is an argument that unless the conflicting paradigms and competing purposes underlying e-Portfolios are recognised, there value for learning is undermined. In other words I think that the purpose of adopting an ePortfolio needs to be clear.
Are they to be used for accountability purposes / providing evidence of achievement ?
Are they to be used to encourage deep learning / demonstrating personal growth ?
Are they to be used for self evaluation / personal development planning ?
Are they to provide a window for prospective employers / further study ?
The answers to these questions will determine the type of system needed and the functionality required.
Balancing a System

6. Student ePortfolio
Developmental
Transitional
Courses
Institutions
Learning
PDP
Reflection
Presentational
Course of study
Job Application
Assessment

7. Perspectives
‘The VLE is owned by the college and the e-portfolio is owned by me.
‘it takes the CV in to the modern era’
‘an e-portfolio should be your opportunity to draw on everything you have already created to make your own story’
‘it’s an addictive thing to use both academically and socially’

8. ePortfolio Systems

9. Further Information RSCtv (watch again) - e-Portfolios in Practice
Effective Practice with e-Portfolios
E-Portfolios – What institutions really need to know
Individualised Support for Learning Through e-Portfolios (ISLE)
e-Portfolio Toolkit from JISC InfoNet