e-Portfolios: Tools for 21st century learning
Today (September 9, 2008) sees 'Effective Practice with e-Portfolios', the newest guide in the Jisc Effective Practice series, being launched at ALT-C in Leeds.
The publication explores good practice in the use of e-portfolios as a support for learning. It is being launched in conjunction with an e-portfolios infoKit which covers the main drivers, purposes, processes, perspectives and issues around e-portfolio use – created by Jisc infoNet."The infoKit and publication draw together the lessons that we have learnt through the many excellent initiatives in this area and highlight some emerging practice that can inspire us as we move forward in the coming years."
These resources provide information about e-portfolios and why they are becoming the subject of increasing attention across all educational sectors. 'Effective Practice with e-Portfolios' focuses on the beginning processes of learning through ongoing dialogue and exchange of feedback with peers and tutors. Leading through to personal development planning and the potential for developing and receiving feedback on application to higher education as well as the development of skills of critical self-appraisal as a professional.
The guide investigates this process from different perspectives – those of learners, practitioners, institutions, professional bodies and potential audiences for e-portfolios. It also pinpoints key points of guidance for those new to e-portfolio learning.
The e-portfolios infoKit takes a similar approach and offers a templated format which supports a range of ways of accessing information. The infoKit also browses by project, users can search case studies by section or by the themes they illustrate.
Each case study comes with an associated resources area which includes reports, presentations and links to additional material for each project.
This online resource encompasses a broad spectrum of e-portfolio use and development and offers a valuable synthesis of Jisc-funded projects on e-portfolios in recent years.
Jisc programme manager, Lisa Gray, said: “These last few years have seen our understanding of the potential for e-portfolios grow and mature. The infoKit and publication draw together the lessons that we have learnt through the many excellent initiatives in this area and highlight some emerging practice that can inspire us as we move forward in the coming years.”
Workshop events based around these new Jisc resources on e-portfolios as tools for 21st century learning are planned for the new academic year 2008-2009.
More information about the workshops will be available during September on the Jisc website
Copies of Effective Practice with e-Portfolios can be downloaded in both PDF and text-only formats or ordered in print from