ePortfolio
An ePortfolio is a digital collection of artefacts (such as documents, posters, photographs, videos) which a student creates at different stages of their programme/module. Designed and created by the student, an eportfolio is usually generated over a period of time and often includes a reflective analysis component where the student reflects on the experience of creating the eportfolio and what they feel they have learned during the process.
Typically used to….
- assess disciplinary knowledge and understanding
- evaluate ability to select and present materials appropriately to evidence learning
- assess critical thinking/reflective analysis skills
- determine if students meet the requirements of professional bodies.
Key considerations when creating an eportfolio for assessment
- When using eportfolios as part of your assessment strategy, keep the following points in mind:
- Is the eportfolio being used for formative or summative assessment purposes (or both!)
- If your eportfolio contributes to your final grade (i.e. is being used for summative assessment), how much is it worth?
- What criteria is being used to assess your eportfolio? Has a rubric been provided?
- Are there any Trinity guides/supports that might be useful to review before starting the eportfolio? For example on reflective writing, referencing or critical thinking?
- What platform will you use to develop your eportfolio? Does your assessor have specific requirements in relation to this?
- Consider using a four-step process to plan and develop your eportfolio (see this ePortfolio Hub for more information):
- Plan—identify the purpose of your ePortfolio and develop a plan for implementation.
- Collect—start thinking about what content to include in your eportfolio.
- Reflect—reflect on your experiences, how you have worked, what you have learned from your experiences and how your learning will shape your future actions.
- Present—think about your audience i.e. who you will be presenting your ePortfolio to. If you have different audiences (e.g. your peers, your assessor, future employers) you may have several audiences viewing different parts of your eportfolio.
Tools/technologies
Trinity-supported tools:
Google Sites and MS OneNote available through MyZone
External tools (unsupported by Trinity):
Examples of ePortfolios
Communication, Data Analysis & Resource Curation, and Testing & Evaluation: a Final ePortfolio: An eportfolio created in PebblePad by a University of Waterloo student as part of an internship.
An ePortfolio Student Tour: this video developed by Anna Strawn, an undergraduate student at the University of Auburn, provides a visual tour of an eportfolio developed as part of the University’s ePortfolio Project.
Resources
This video developed as part of the National Forum project Eportfolio Hub, provides an accessible introduction to eportfolios and how they can be used to support and evidence your learning at University.
This online hub developed as part of a National Forum project provides a wealth of resources for teaching staff based on an ePortfolio framework which brings you through the What, Why and How of ePortfolio design.