Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T Why Use ePortfolios? Janelle Heineke CEIT Teaching Talk Fall 2012.

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

Why Use ePortfolios?

Janelle HeinekeCEIT Teaching Talk

Fall 2012

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

• A collection of electronic evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Internet.

Evidence may include text, electronic files, images, multimedia, blog entries, hyperlinks.

• Both a demonstration of the user's abilities and a platform for self-expression.

• An instrument that can be maintained dynamically over time.

What is an ePortfolio?

e

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

• Representational (showcase)

Types of ePortfolios

• Reflective (learning)• Developmental (working)

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

Why Use ePortfolios

To make learning visible.

• To students.

• Reflection on work in a course.

• Reflection on work throughout a program.

• To faculty.

• Assessment of individual student work.

• Assessment of programs.

• To external constituents.

• Potential employers of students.

• The academic community at large.

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

Students:

• See their work and their progress through a course all in one place.

• Can collect their work throughout their program of study.

• Can see their curricular and extra-curricular work all together.

Providing Opportunities for Reflection

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

• Faculty

• Can view and evaluate assignments.

• Can provide opportunities for students to readily share their work and comment on work of others.

• Advisors

• Can track students’ academic progress.

• Can guide students toward careers.

Assessing Individual Learning

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

For accreditation• Archiving of student work.

• Review of work across students to assess program goal achievement.

Program Assessment

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

Electronic Resumés

A richer view of accomplishments.

From this: To this:

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

Other Advantages

• Easy:

• Storage/Access

• Little physical space requirement for lots of information.

• Easy interconnection and backup.

• Saves trees.

• Multimedia use: sound, pictures, graphics and video.

• Computer Skills: users gain valuable computer skills while creating and editing their portfolio.

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

Other Advantages

ePortfolios:

• Are student owned and student-focused.

• Stay with students over time.

• Support high-impact learning experiences outside of the classroom.

• Help create a strong resume for students entering their first career placement.

• Support the concept and practice of life-long learning.

Boston University Center for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and IS&T

ePortfolio

Discussion?