Enhancing pre-service ESL teachers’ computer competency in an online learning environment: a web portfolio approach to learning and assessment in Malaysia

Studies have shown positive outcomes and benefits of using Web portfolios to document teacher learning and professional development. In particular, Web portfolios have potential for displaying evidence of a teacher’s competency in using multimedia and a range of online tools. The purpose of this study was to explore the use of Web portfolios as a learning and assessment tool by pre-service English as a second language (ESL) teachers in a computer-assisted language learning (CALL) course offered at a Malaysian university. Web portfolios were introduced as part of the CALL course for two main purposes: firstly, as a learning tool to enhance future ESL teachers’ competency in integrating computer applications; and secondly, as an assessment tool to evaluate future ESL teachers’ competency in integrating computer applications to achieve the objectives of the CALL course. Participants in the study were 128 pre-service ESL teachers who were recruited based on their enrolment in the CALL course. The course lecturer also participated in the study in collaboration with the researcher with a view to integrating Web portfolios into the CALL course. The pre-service ESL teachers’ learning experiences in the 14-week CALL course were studied through mixed method sequential explanatory design that employed quantitative and qualitative measures. Data was obtained from questionnaires (a prequestionnaire and a post-questionnaire), interviews and an analysis of Web portfolios. This study found that Web portfolios have a positive impact on the participants’ self-perceived computer competency. There were also promising outcomes in the use of Web portfolios as a learning and assessment tool for future CALL practitioners. Although there were challenging issues confronting the development of Web portfolios in this study such as time investment, unfamiliarity with the portfolio concept, inadequate computer skills and lack of practice, these challenges can be overcome through proper introduction and increased Web portfolio practices particularly when Web portfolios have become more established within the context of the study