| We've identified three meaningful uses for eportfolios. These uses are broken down by- student,
- faculty, and
- employee
Student
The eportfolio is a repository of their learning. It allows a student to create a system of tracking their work over time with students and faculty reflecting on it (Batson, 2002).
Faculty
The development of an eportfolio by faculty as described by Campbell, Melenyzer, Nettles and Wyman (2000) is "an organized collection of complex, performance-based evidence that indicates one's growth, goals, and current knowledge and skills needed to be competent in a role or area of expertise" (p.151, cited in Heath & Cockerham, 2001, ¶2). The content in an eportolio includes a- résumé,
- statement of teaching philosophy, and
- reflective tools to demonstrate professional growth
Employees
Similar to the use by faculty, the focus by employees is to demonstrate skills and competence in areas related to their field of work or expertise.
Use over time
How do the meaningful uses of an eportfolio translate over time? Let's see.
Student
The organized presentation of their material allows a student to submit work, allow faculty to comment on it, enable to student to review it and aggregate the information over a semester and eventually an academic career. In turn, when the student graduates and applies for a job, the eportfolio provides an employer with relevant information about the potential employee.
Faculty
The eportfolio of faculty documents their teaching and accomplishments which can later be used for tenure, promotions, and entering or re-entering the job market.
Employee
For an employee the eportfolio demonstrates meaningful evidence of the employee's skills and professional development. The employer will have a better tool with which to assess the employee's communication skills, organizational skills, creativity, and initiative.
|
