e-Portfolios Student Learning
This project implemented the use of e-Portfolios in two Schools and three Further education colleges from 2005-2007 to gain an insight into four areas crucial to further understanding of the use of Portfolios.
Executive Summary
The four areas crucial to further understanding of the use of Portfolios were:
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how best to integrate an e-Portfolio into the curriculum
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the issues with the use of e-portfolios for transition and progression
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issues of access and storage
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the factors which affect use and non-use of e-Portfolios
The main finding has been that e-Portfolios have to be introduced as part of a considered and planned curriculum, and that uptake and consequent success is based on an understanding of the best fit of an e-Portfolio to the users’ curriculum and needs, together with an introductory approach matching user profile and or culture. Without this optimisation of starting point, any subsequent e-Portfolio activity could be difficult. ePISTLE has pinpointed essential criteria for understanding user profiles as users engage with e-Portfolios. Users are at the centre of their e-Portfolios, (despite government policy, PDP, etc). and without tight integration with, and concern for, their uses and needs, e-Portfolios will not be used. All organisational and technological factors follow on from that.
The five outputs from the project can be found on the project website.