ePortfolio
An ePortfolio is an organized collection of evidence such as documents, graphics, audio files, videos, presentations, and course work. You can use ePortfolio as a space to:
- Collect different forms of “data” to be used as evidence of learning, development, or competency;
- Capture your individual perceptions of learning experiences;
- Act as a medium/venue to share information;
- Serve as a developmental “space”; and
- Share professional development plans.
How should I use an ePortfolio?
There are many ways to make the most out of your ePortfolio. But before counting all the different ways, it all boils down to your purpose for creating one. Having a specific reason for why you decide to create an ePortfolio will help you understand which items best demonstrate your learning. ePortfolios can be created for a variety of purposes, some of which include:
- demonstrating professional growth and a commitment to lifelong learning
- collecting different assessment items to be used as evidence of learning or progress
- creating a repository to store artifacts of learning to revisit student, staff, or faculty members’ work
- showcasing collections that align with specific competencies
- facilitate career development
4 Steps for creating an ePortfolio
- Collect: Collecting, saving, and organizing artifacts from programs of study, courses, and individual learning experiences.
- Select: Using a critical framework to choose the artifacts that best serve as evidence of learning and development.
- Reflect: Reflecting, in a structured way, on how the evidence that has been selected demonstrates an evolution in learning.
- Connect: Identifying points of connection across the artifacts and reflections for the purpose of creating a polished summary.
Why should I create an ePortfolio?
Creating an ePortfolio makes the process of your learning visible. It can prompt you to reflect on learning, ponder over what is important and identify possible gaps between your goals and achievement. You decide what items you want to include in your ePortfolio, how you want to organize them, and who you want to share them with.
And it is fun.
Reflection is an important part of this process. ePortfolio will provide you with the space to involve yourself in the process of discovering, understanding and communicating learning. The value of creating an ePortfolio lies in your ability to actively engage with your thought process and ask yourself reflective questions such as:
- What have I learned?
- Why did I learn? / Why is it important to learn?
- Has my learning been connected and coherent?
- Is my learning relevant, applicable, practical?
Over time, your reflective practice will help create a meaningful foundation in which your ePortfolio can thrive and eventually present a powerful showcase of your knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience.
Resources
Academic Resources
- e-portfolio-support-document_best-practices-final, Compiled by Dr. Robin Alison Mueller, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning
- e-portfolio-support-document_purposes-and-rationale-final, Compiled by Dr. Robin Alison Mueller, Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning
Additional ePortfolio Resources
- ePortfolios Explained, Centre for Teaching Excellence, University of Waterloo
- ePortfolios, University of British Columbia
- Using WordPress for Educational E-Portfolios (PDF)
- Writing e-Portfolio Student Guide and Resources Site, University of Central Florida
Examples
- ePortfolio Coach: This site was developed by Mohammad Moravvej, a PhD candidate in Schulich School of Engineering (SSE), University of Calgary. This site enables students and professors at the Schulich School of Engineering (SSE) to use ePortfolio tools to enhance the student learning experience.
- Mohammad Moravvej’s ePortfolio: A personal ePortfolio site, created by Mohammad Moravvej, a PhD Candidate at University of Calgary. This site is a great example for all students, particularly senior undergraduate and graduate students, who are interested in documenting their learning and experience.
- Taylor Institute for Teaching and Learning, Educational Development Unit
- UBC Portfolio Community of Practice, ePortfolios Examples
Some of the tools to create an ePortfolio
Additional Resources:Kenny, N., Iqbal, I., McDonald, J., Borin, P., Dawson, D., Chan, J., & Kustra, E. (2017). Exploring the Potential of Educational Developer Portfolios. To Improve the Academy, 36(1), 61-75. DOI: 10.1002/tia2.20054
