Focusing on what you value: A considered approach to assessing ePortfolios

Abstract

ePortfolio creation, using any of a number of digital tools, is an opportunity for students to assemble work that shows not only high quality products and performances, but also to show development over time, focus on speciality, and demonstration of breadth. These highly valued characteristics of engaged learning make adoption of eportfolio as a basis for assessment very attractive. In addition, policy pressure encourages academia to keep up with innovations in educational technology related to learning and assessment. Demonstrating entry-level competence in a number of professions (e.g., teaching) is often achieved by assembly of an ePortfolio. However, enthusiasm for ePortfolios often overlooks the challenges facing the assessment of the completed ePortfolio, especially around both the feasibility and validity of rankings, scores, judgements, and/or feedback. A number of approaches to assessment exist (e.g., checklist completion, quantification of components, rubric-based judgement, and professional intuition). This seminar will emphasise the importance of defining clearly the curricular goals targeted by the ePortfolio and overview the pros and cons of the various approaches. Using insights from psychometrics and recent research into the experience of students in ePortfolio usage, the seminar will help participants work towards defensible practices that lead to valid interpretations and decisions about student learning embodied in an ePortfolio.