Electronic portfolio
Encyclopedia
An electronic portfolio, also known as an e-portfolio or digital portfolio, is a collection of electronic evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Web
. Such electronic evidence may include inputted text, electronic files, images, multimedia
, blog
entries, and hyperlink
s. E-portfolios are both demonstrations of the user's abilities and platforms for self-expression, and, if they are online, they can be maintained dynamically over time. Some e-portfolio applications permit varying degrees of audience access, so the same portfolio might be used for multiple purposes.
The web serves as an ideal home for electronic portfolios to be shared with all different kinds of audiences. The main purpose is to provide a platform where people are forced to communicate concisely. This communication is vital in a portfolio so that others are easily able to see the energy, passion, and focus of an individual. According to the 7 survival skills of the 21st century, this written communication is crucial to the modern day world. In the digital age where there is a wealth of knowledge at one’s fingertips, the e-portfolio is just one more way that we are able to spread information. The speed and ease in which e-portfolios can be viewed is just one more example of crowd accelerated innovation. Traditional portfolios used to be mostly written. Electronic portfolios are composed of writing, as well as pictures, audio and videos. Therefore, more than just words are being communicated. One is now able to see gestures, tone, and design. First, the e-portfolio helps a person find a crowd where they can share a common interest. Next, it provides light and visibility, focusing on what that individual is capable of helping to focus on an individuals capabilities. Finally the e-portfolio fuels passion and desire in those that are viewing it. According to Anderson, e-portfolios can then go viral and be passed on to be easily viewed by many on the web.
E-portfolios also help to foster a more independent and autonomous way of thinking, according to Strivens. This is in large part because people must focus on their collective work, think about how it will be portrayed, and what the work says about them as an individual. The individual is then in charge of their learning and the choice of where to demonstrate their proficiency.) People are also forced to reflect on what they have learned and how they plan to build and improve in the future. This helps people to become more critical thinkers and helps them to develop their writing and multimedia skills. Today, many students are using multimedia such as: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and texting. These are all informal settings where students must get their point across. The electronic portfolio on the other hand is a more formal setting where students must apply both their knowledge of how the web works and the message that they want to convey. In this sense, student’s use and comfort with the web at times can he a hindrance if they are not taught to use electronic portfolios in the correct fashion suggests Lane. Many universities and schools are currently working to make sure that students are gaining practice and experience with electronic portfolios so that they are able to use them to the best of their ability. For example, in places like Michigan, students can earn the MCOATT (Michigan Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Technology) for submitting an electronic portfolio which demonstrates evidence of technology being used in the classroom. This consortium is an organization aimed to make Michigan one of the leaders in integrating technology into the training of young professionals.
An e-portfolio can be seen as a type of learning record that provides actual evidence of achievement. Learning records are closely related to the Learning Plan
, an emerging tool that is being used to manage learning by individuals, teams, communities of interest
, and organizations. To the extent that a Personal Learning Environment
captures and displays a learning record, it also might be understood to be an electronic portfolio.
Students have been taught to create digital identities using presentation software or tools to create web pages. More recently the use of virtual learning environment
s (VLEs) in schools and universities has led to an increased activity in the creation of e-portfolios for a variety of reasons. Most of these e-portfolios, however, are retained within the VLE and are not easily accessed outside the VLE. This results in problems of exporting data and related interoperability issues. An alternative approach is to use a system externally hosted to any institution. This permits transition through the various stages of education and employments and even into retirement.
E-portfolios, like traditional portfolios
, can facilitate students' reflection on their own learning, leading to more awareness of learning strategies and needs. Results of a comparative research, by M. van Wesel
and Prop, between paper based portfolios and electronic portfolios in the same setting, suggest use of an electronic portfolio leads to better learning outcomes.
A developmental e-portfolio is a record of things that the owner has done over a period of time, and may be directly tied to learner outcomes or rubrics
. A reflective e-portfolio includes personal reflection on the content and what it means for the owner's development. A representational e-portfolio shows the owner's achievements in relation to particular work or developmental goals and is, therefore, selective. When it is used for job application it is sometimes called Career portfolio
.
The three main types may be mixed to achieve different learning, personal, or work-related outcomes with the e-portfolio owner usually being the person who determines access levels.
Some E-portfolios can be used for presentations, a number of different assignments and most popularly, class studies. Others may be used within an education setting for assessment and accreditation, such as an institutional electronic portfolio.
An Institutional ePortfolio is a multimedia Web site designed to help document and organize a college or university's story, goals, and standards. It can foster a depth and breadth of connections among other institutions as well as within the institution itself, its programs, and its constituents and can provide an efficient means to reinforce shared visions and commitments to its mission.
A major use of e-portfolios is for the assessment of National Vocational Qualifications [NVQ]. A number of providers enable candidates to build portfolios which can be accessed by nominated assessors and verifiers from any internet access point. The e-portfolio does not make the gaining of the internationally recognised qualification easier, but it does make the whole process much more cost-effective.
ePortfolios are supporting all components of good RPL practice through effective evidence capture and validation; by establishing linkages to existing forms of evidence, and by complimenting the conversational style of good RPL process through regular asynchronous dialogue.
In the context of the RPL assessment process, the ePortfolio is able to streamline evidence identification and validation, and enable assessors to effectively make judgments about the authenticity of evidence when it is verified through existing legitimised sources, such as Student Management Systems (SMS) or Learning Management Systems (LMS).
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World Wide Web
The World Wide Web is a system of interlinked hypertext documents accessed via the Internet...
. Such electronic evidence may include inputted text, electronic files, images, multimedia
Multimedia
Multimedia is media and content that uses a combination of different content forms. The term can be used as a noun or as an adjective describing a medium as having multiple content forms. The term is used in contrast to media which use only rudimentary computer display such as text-only, or...
, blog
Blog
A blog is a type of website or part of a website supposed to be updated with new content from time to time. Blogs are usually maintained by an individual with regular entries of commentary, descriptions of events, or other material such as graphics or video. Entries are commonly displayed in...
entries, and hyperlink
Hyperlink
In computing, a hyperlink is a reference to data that the reader can directly follow, or that is followed automatically. A hyperlink points to a whole document or to a specific element within a document. Hypertext is text with hyperlinks...
s. E-portfolios are both demonstrations of the user's abilities and platforms for self-expression, and, if they are online, they can be maintained dynamically over time. Some e-portfolio applications permit varying degrees of audience access, so the same portfolio might be used for multiple purposes.
The web serves as an ideal home for electronic portfolios to be shared with all different kinds of audiences. The main purpose is to provide a platform where people are forced to communicate concisely. This communication is vital in a portfolio so that others are easily able to see the energy, passion, and focus of an individual. According to the 7 survival skills of the 21st century, this written communication is crucial to the modern day world. In the digital age where there is a wealth of knowledge at one’s fingertips, the e-portfolio is just one more way that we are able to spread information. The speed and ease in which e-portfolios can be viewed is just one more example of crowd accelerated innovation. Traditional portfolios used to be mostly written. Electronic portfolios are composed of writing, as well as pictures, audio and videos. Therefore, more than just words are being communicated. One is now able to see gestures, tone, and design. First, the e-portfolio helps a person find a crowd where they can share a common interest. Next, it provides light and visibility, focusing on what that individual is capable of helping to focus on an individuals capabilities. Finally the e-portfolio fuels passion and desire in those that are viewing it. According to Anderson, e-portfolios can then go viral and be passed on to be easily viewed by many on the web.
E-portfolios also help to foster a more independent and autonomous way of thinking, according to Strivens. This is in large part because people must focus on their collective work, think about how it will be portrayed, and what the work says about them as an individual. The individual is then in charge of their learning and the choice of where to demonstrate their proficiency.) People are also forced to reflect on what they have learned and how they plan to build and improve in the future. This helps people to become more critical thinkers and helps them to develop their writing and multimedia skills. Today, many students are using multimedia such as: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, and texting. These are all informal settings where students must get their point across. The electronic portfolio on the other hand is a more formal setting where students must apply both their knowledge of how the web works and the message that they want to convey. In this sense, student’s use and comfort with the web at times can he a hindrance if they are not taught to use electronic portfolios in the correct fashion suggests Lane. Many universities and schools are currently working to make sure that students are gaining practice and experience with electronic portfolios so that they are able to use them to the best of their ability. For example, in places like Michigan, students can earn the MCOATT (Michigan Certificate of Outstanding Achievement in Teaching Technology) for submitting an electronic portfolio which demonstrates evidence of technology being used in the classroom. This consortium is an organization aimed to make Michigan one of the leaders in integrating technology into the training of young professionals.
An e-portfolio can be seen as a type of learning record that provides actual evidence of achievement. Learning records are closely related to the Learning Plan
Learning Plan
A Learning Plan is a document that is used to plan learning, usually over an extended period of time....
, an emerging tool that is being used to manage learning by individuals, teams, communities of interest
Community of interest
A community of interest is a community of people who share a common interest or passion. These people exchange ideas and thoughts about the given passion, but may know little about each other outside of this area...
, and organizations. To the extent that a Personal Learning Environment
Personal Learning Environment
Personal Learning Environments are systems that help learners take control of and manage their own learning. This includes providing support for learners to:* set their own learning goals* manage their learning, both content and process...
captures and displays a learning record, it also might be understood to be an electronic portfolio.
Students have been taught to create digital identities using presentation software or tools to create web pages. More recently the use of virtual learning environment
Virtual learning environment
Defined largely by usage, the term virtual learning environment has most, if not all, of the following salient properties:* It is Web-based* It uses Web 2.0 tools for rich 2-way interaction* It includes a content management system...
s (VLEs) in schools and universities has led to an increased activity in the creation of e-portfolios for a variety of reasons. Most of these e-portfolios, however, are retained within the VLE and are not easily accessed outside the VLE. This results in problems of exporting data and related interoperability issues. An alternative approach is to use a system externally hosted to any institution. This permits transition through the various stages of education and employments and even into retirement.
E-portfolios, like traditional portfolios
Career portfolio
Career portfolios are used to plan, organize and document education, work samples and skills. People use career portfolios to apply to jobs, apply to college or training programs, get a higher salary, show transferable skills, and to track personal development. They are more in-depth than a resume,...
, can facilitate students' reflection on their own learning, leading to more awareness of learning strategies and needs. Results of a comparative research, by M. van Wesel
Maarten van Wesel
Maarten van Wesel is a Dutch e-learning researcher, political blogger and candidate for the Heerlen city council .- Education :...
and Prop, between paper based portfolios and electronic portfolios in the same setting, suggest use of an electronic portfolio leads to better learning outcomes.
Types
There are three main types of e-portfolios, although they may be referred to using different terms:- developmental (e.g., working),
- reflective (e.g., learning), and
- representational (e.g., showcase).
A developmental e-portfolio is a record of things that the owner has done over a period of time, and may be directly tied to learner outcomes or rubrics
Rubric (academic)
A rubric is an assessment tool for communicating expectations of quality. Rubrics support student self-reflection and self-assessment as well as communication between assessor and assessees...
. A reflective e-portfolio includes personal reflection on the content and what it means for the owner's development. A representational e-portfolio shows the owner's achievements in relation to particular work or developmental goals and is, therefore, selective. When it is used for job application it is sometimes called Career portfolio
Career portfolio
Career portfolios are used to plan, organize and document education, work samples and skills. People use career portfolios to apply to jobs, apply to college or training programs, get a higher salary, show transferable skills, and to track personal development. They are more in-depth than a resume,...
.
The three main types may be mixed to achieve different learning, personal, or work-related outcomes with the e-portfolio owner usually being the person who determines access levels.
Usage
Today, electronic portfolios are gaining popularity in:- SchoolSchoolA school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s (see also Technology IntegrationTechnology IntegrationTechnology Integration is the use of technology tools in general content areas in education in order to allow students to apply computer and technology skills to learning and problem-solving...
) - Higher educationHigher educationHigher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
- Continuing professional development
- Job applications/professional advertisements
- Therapy groupGroup therapyGroup psychotherapy or group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists treat a small group of clients together as a group...
s - Assessment
- Accreditation
- Recognition of prior learningRecognition of prior learningRecognition of prior learning , prior learning assessment , or prior learning assessment and recognition , describes a process used by colleges and universities around the world to evaluate learning acquired outside the classroom for the purpose of assigning academic credit...
(RPL)
Some E-portfolios can be used for presentations, a number of different assignments and most popularly, class studies. Others may be used within an education setting for assessment and accreditation, such as an institutional electronic portfolio.
An Institutional ePortfolio is a multimedia Web site designed to help document and organize a college or university's story, goals, and standards. It can foster a depth and breadth of connections among other institutions as well as within the institution itself, its programs, and its constituents and can provide an efficient means to reinforce shared visions and commitments to its mission.
A major use of e-portfolios is for the assessment of National Vocational Qualifications [NVQ]. A number of providers enable candidates to build portfolios which can be accessed by nominated assessors and verifiers from any internet access point. The e-portfolio does not make the gaining of the internationally recognised qualification easier, but it does make the whole process much more cost-effective.
ePortfolios are supporting all components of good RPL practice through effective evidence capture and validation; by establishing linkages to existing forms of evidence, and by complimenting the conversational style of good RPL process through regular asynchronous dialogue.
In the context of the RPL assessment process, the ePortfolio is able to streamline evidence identification and validation, and enable assessors to effectively make judgments about the authenticity of evidence when it is verified through existing legitimised sources, such as Student Management Systems (SMS) or Learning Management Systems (LMS).
Education
- Desire2LearnDesire2LearnDesire2Learn Incorporated is a provider of enterprise eLearning solutions and develops online Learning Management Systems used at more than 450 institutions around the world...
- Digication
- E-scapeE-scapeE-scape is a project run by the Technology Education Research Unit at Goldsmiths University of London, England that developed an approach to the authentic assessment of creativity and collaboration based on open-ended but structured activities...
- ElggElgg (software)Elgg is open source social networking software that provides individuals and organizations with the components needed to create an online social environment. It offers blogging, microblogging, file sharing, networking, groups and a number of other features....
- FoliotekFoliotek (software)Foliotek is an electronic portfolio web application that supports Standards-Based Assessment, Career Portfolios, College and University Accreditation, and Faculty Tenure Review & Promotion...
- Mahara
- MAPSMAPS (software)MAPS is a proprietary web-based Assessment or EPortfolio service. The software is entirely web services based and provides an array of evidence recording tools which are structured around a blog or learner diary. Users can belong to mulitple institutions and individual portfolios are owned entirely...
- Pass-portPass-portPASS-PORT is a web-based electronic portfolio assessment and course management system operated by Innovative Learning Assessment Technologies, LLC.-Origins:...
- PebblePADPebblePAD (software)PebblePAD is a proprietary web-based Personal Learning Environment or EPortfolio system. The software uses Macromedia Flash to provide a customisable visually orientated series of record editing tools...
- RCampusRcampusRCampus is an innovative web-based Education Management System with collaborative learning community built by Reazon Systems Inc....
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Professional
- 22Slides
- BehanceBehanceBehance is an American company that designs organizational products and services based on research among productive creative people and teams.-The Behance Network:...
- Carbonmade
- Coroflot
- Filter Foundry
- Host My Portfolio
- PhotoShelter
- Pixpa
- Shown'd
- Viewbook
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