Student perceptions of ePortfolio integration in online courses

This study explored students’ perceptions regarding the integration of electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) in two online graduate‐level courses at a small research university in the western United States. Researchers investigated student perceptions of communication, connectedness, value, and perceived student learning through ePortfolio integration and formative peer review to support a sustained community of learning. Data was collected from 40 students with a Web‐based questionnaire and a threaded discussion forum. Results indicate ePortfolios positively impacted some students’ perception of communication, connectedness, and learning. Most participants also valued ePortfolios. Prior ePortfolio experience and gender were responsible for minor differences in student perceptions, whereas lack of prior reflective experience impacted student perceptions significantly. Researchers conclude that ePortfolios can foster learning communities in online graduate programs.

[1]  Glenn Rowley,et al.  Supervisor selection or allocation and continuity of supervision: Ph.D. students’ progress and outcomes , 2005 .

[2]  Lynna J. Ausburn.  Course design elements most valued by adult learners in blended online education environments: an American perspective , 2004 .

[3]  Natasha Boskic,et al.  Eportfolios: From Description to Analysis. , 2008 .

[4]  M. Patton.  Qualitative research and evaluation methods , 1980 .

[5]  Linda L. Lynch,et al.  Electronic portfolio assessments in u.s. educational and instructional technology programs: Are they supporting teacher education? , 2004 .

[6]  Mimi Wolverton,et al.  Integrating Learning Communities and Distance Education: Possibility or Pipedream? , 2006 .

[7]  Lorne Olfman,et al.  Designing ePortfolio 2.0: Integrating and Coordinating Web 2.0 Services with ePortfolio Systems for Enhancing Users' Learning , 2007, J. Inf. Syst. Educ..

[8]  Felicity Wikeley *,et al.  Pedagogical implications of working with doctoral students at a distance , 2004 .

[9]  P. Northrup.  Online Learners' Preferences for Interaction , 2002 .

[10]  Chih-Ming Chen,et al.  Mobile formative assessment tool based on data mining techniques for supporting web-based learning , 2009, Comput. Educ..

[11]  Tara McNealy,et al.  The Learning Portfolio: Reflective Practice for Improving Student Learning, and: Portfolio Development and the Assessment of Prior Learning: Perspectives, Models, and Practices (review) , 2006 .

[12]  R. Birdwhistell.  Kinesics and Context: Essays on Body Motion Communication , 1971 .

[13]  Beryl C. McEwen,et al.  Effective Online Instructional and Assessment Strategies , 2007 .

[14]  Leah E. Wickersham,et al.  The Electronic Portfolio Journey: A Year Later. , 2007 .

[15]  Susan M. Land,et al.  Scaffolding reflection and articulation of scientific explanations in a data-rich, project-based learning environment: An investigation of progress portfolio , 2003 .

[16]  N. Hatton,et al.  Reflection in teacher education: Towards definition and implementation , 1995 .

[17]  Rena M. Palloff,et al.  Book Review: Building online learning communities: Effective strategies for the virtual classroom , 2007 .

[18]  Richard M. Lee,et al.  The relationship between social connectedness and anxiety, self-esteem, and social identity. , 1998 .

[19]  Gail Flanagan,et al.  Teaching and Learning at a Distance - Foundations of Distance Education: Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M., and Zvacek, S. (2000). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 241 pages, ISBN: 0-13769258-7 , 2000, Internet and Higher Education.

[20]  Roar Maagaard,et al.  Using an online portfolio in postgraduate training , 2006, Medical teacher.

[21]  K. Patricia Cross,et al.  Why Learning Communities? Why Now? , 1998 .

[22]  Michael J. Hannafin,et al.  Supporting Preservice Teacher Inquiry with Electronic Portfolios , 2011 .

[23]  Kathryn Nantz,et al.  The learning portfolio: Reflective practice for improving student learning 2nd Ed. , 2009 .

[24]  Nancy J. Hadley.  The Portfolio Forum: Power in Reflection , 2007 .

[25]  Rena M. Palloff,et al.  Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace: Effective Strategies for the Online Classroom. Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education Series. , 1999 .

[26]  Z. Berge.  Active, Interactive, and Reflective eLearning. , 2002 .

[27]  Keith Wetzel,et al.  The Diffusion of Electronic Portfolios in Teacher Education , 2005 .

[28]  R. Clark.  Media will never influence learning , 1994 .

[29]  Christopher E. Hartmann.  Using Teacher Portfolios to Enrich the Methods Course Experiences of Prospective Mathematics Teachers , 2004 .

[30]  Michael J. Hannafin,et al.  Beyond Recollection:Reexamining Preservice Teacher Practices Using Structured Evidence, Analysis, and Reflection , 2009 .

[31]  Wil Meeus,et al.  Open source eportfolio: development and implementation of an institution‐wide electronic portfolio platform for students , 2006 .

[32]  Natalie B. Milman,et al.  Evaluating electronic portfolios in teacher education , 2009 .

[33]  Terry Anderson.  Distance Learning in Higher Education: A Programmatic Approach to Planning, Design, Instruction, Evaluation, and Accreditation , 2009 .

[34]  Shelley Bibeau,et al.  Social Presence, Isolation, and Connectedness in Online Teaching and Learning: From the Literature to Real Life. , 2001 .

[35]  José Bidarra,et al.  Current Developments and Best Practice in Open and Distance Learning , 2000 .

[36]  Carol K. K. Chan,et al.  Student-Directed Assessment of Knowledge Building Using Electronic Portfolios , 2007 .

[37]  Joanne M. McInnerney,et al.  Online Learning: Social Interaction and the Creation of a Sense of Community , 2004, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[38]  Margot Pearson,et al.  Professionalising Ph.D. education to enhance the quality of the student experience , 1996 .

[39]  Eva Heinrich,et al.  Preparation for lifelong learning using ePortfolios , 2007 .

[40]  Steven R. Aragon.  Creating Social Presence in Online Environments , 2003 .

[41]  I. E. Allen,et al.  Staying the course: online education in the United States, 2008 , 2008 .

[42]  Simon Polovina,et al.  Practical experiences of, and lessons learnt from, Internet technologies in higher education , 1999, J. Educ. Technol. Soc..

[43]  Namin Shin.  Transactional Presence as a Critical Predictor of Success in Distance Learning , 2003 .

[44]  J. Dewey.  How we think : a restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the educative process , 1934 .

[45]  Colin Sharp.  Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3rd ed.) , 2003 .

[46]  R. Garrison.  Theoretical Challenges for Distance Education in the 21st Century: A Shift from Structural to Transactional Issues , 2000 .

[47]  Heather Kanuka,et al.  Distance education MBA students: an investigation into the use of an orientation course to address academic and social integration issues , 2006 .

[48]  Larry Lambert,et al.  e-Portfolios in Action , 2007 .

[49]  Charles Xiaoxue Wang.  Comprehensive Assessment of Student Collaboration in Electronic Portfolio Construction: An Evaluation Research , 2009 .

[50]  Kenneth M. Zeichner,et al.  The teaching portfolio in US teacher education programs: what we know and what we need to know , 2001 .

[51]  Anne Lee,et al.  How are doctoral students supervised? Concepts of doctoral research supervision , 2008 .

[52]  Eric Zhi-Feng Liu,et al.  Assessing Higher-Order Thinking Using a Networked Portfolio System with Peer Assessment , 2004 .

[53]  Michael J. Hannafin,et al.  Examining Preservice Teacher Inquiry through Video-Based, Formative Assessment e-Portfolios , 2008 .

[54]  A. P. Rovai.  Development of an instrument to measure classroom community , 2002, Internet High. Educ..

[55]  Muhammad K. Betz.  Distance Education : A Systems View , 2005 .

[56]  Impact of Student Reflective e-Portfolio on Medical Student Advisors , 2008, Teaching and learning in medicine.

[57]  Elena Barberà,et al.  Mutual feedback in e-portfolio assessment: an approach to the netfolio system , 2009, Br. J. Educ. Technol..

[58]  Gary A. Berg.  Distance Learning in Higher Education , 1998, education policy analysis archives.

[59]  Gary Motteram,et al.  Becoming an Online Distance Learner: What can be learned from students’ experiences of induction to distance programmes? , 2005 .