Staff and Student Early Perceptions of Using ePortfolios

Researching the use of ePortfolios is an integral part of the University’s three stage ePortfolio journey: the ePortfolio Feasibility Study (late 2012); the Early Adopter Phase (2013) and the university-wide ePortfolio Implementation Phase (2014-2015). The value of ePortfolios on pedagogical grounds include reflective practice, assessment and feedback opportunities, evidence of competencies, experiential and workintegrated learning, and evidence for graduate attributes. Professional reasons include enhanced employability, evidence of competencies and as a tool for graduates to provide evidence for ongoing accreditation. Research areas of interest to this project include: the impact of ePortfolio activities; the lived experience of using an ePortfolio; potential enhancement of student learning and engagement through use of an ePortfolio; staff and student perceptions; and barriers and enablers of ePortfolio implementation. Research methods include the surveying of students’ pre and post use, staff perceptions survey, and where appropriate focus groups and interviews. Early results indicate benefits of increased digital literacy for staff and professional and personal practice benefits for students. A further outcome is the formation of the ePortfolio Research Collaborative in which staff from six disciplines are developing cross-discipline research projects. This research is adding valuable insights to current ePortfolio and wider technological scholarly discourses and literature in higher education