ePortfolios: Reflecting Quality Learning

Celebration and demonstration of the learning journey our school has embarked on. Issues to consider and unpacking a

quality example of an ePortfolio artefact.

Why use ePortfolios?Becta research: Impact of e-Portfolios on Learning Key findings include:• e-portfolios benefit learning most effectively when

considered as part of a joined-up teaching and learning approach, rather than as a discrete entity. The approach should include online repositories, planning and communication tools, and opportunities for both students and teachers to draw out and present e-portfolios at particular times and for particular purposes. There is then likely to be substantial impact on both learning processes and learning outcomes.

• e-portfolio processes support both pastoral or social needs and curriculum outcomes

• e-portfolio processes and tools for organisation and communication support the learning outcomes of students with a wide range of abilities

• e-portfolios make progress and attainment more obvious to both teachers and students, because viewing and revisiting the repository of work reveals development, achievements, strengths and weaknesses

Positive Outcomes

• Students are more actively involved in their learning

• Caregivers are given up to date information about where their child is at

• Teaching and learning is more focused• Improved school-home relationships• Learning celebrated with a wider audience• Folio samples are not static and continue to be

interacted with• Evidence can be mixed media e.g. video

Issues to consider

• Infrastructure: Do you have the resources to sustain frequent and consistent use of the internet?

• Time: Are teachers prepared to spend time adjusting their practice?

• Resourcing: Scanners? Projectors? Computers? Administrator?

• Parent access to internet: Library? After school access to computer suites?

What is in an ePortfolio?

• Evidence of progress and achievement• A mixture of product and process• Samples of standardised/curriculum testing,

work samples, summative assessment from all learning areas

• Artefacts have clear links to learning• Feedback from student, peers, teacher and

parents

First steps

• Establish the purpose of the ePortfolio• Will it replace reporting?• Who will own the ePortfolio?• Free tools vs. commercial products• Does the school actively engage in formative

assessment?• Will the roll out be school-wide or piloted with a

small group of teachers?

Personnel

• Leadership support and encouragement• Teaching and learning focus rather than

technical• Consistency across the school• Will the pilot group be a mix of early adopters

and reluctant change makers?• Outside support and training• Key personnel released to manage tools

Teaching and Learning

• Teaching and learning is the key to a successful ePortfolio

• Understanding of assessment process• How much will the child influence the content

and direction of the ePortfolio?• Lifelong?

What should a quality artefact contain?

• Evidence of the student’s progress or achievement

• If reporting against NZC then need clear links to the curriculum and an identified level

• Learning intention and success criteria to provide guidance and focus for feedback/feed forward

• Links to planning and assessment• Opportunities for students to set and achieve

learning goals with artefacts as evidence

Examples

• Look at the following examples• Do they have clear learning outlined?• Is there an indication of what the sample

should contain if it has met the learning intention?

• Is the success criteria absent? Co-constructed?• Are the students engaged in the task?• Is there evidence of feedback from students,

parents, teacher?• Could you make a judgement about the level

the student has achieved?

Sample 1

Sample 2:

Sample 3:

Sample 4:

Sample 4/1:

Sample 4/2:

Sample 5/1:

Sample 5/2:

Sample 6:

Sample 7:

Sample 8:

Next steps

• Developing student understanding• Increasing student ownership and responsibility

for selecting samples• Integrating more mixed media e.g. video• Continuing to develop understanding of

National Standards and ensuring we are including evidence for OTJ in the ePortfolio

• Establishing relationships with contributing schools/secondary schools to develop consistency and sustainability

• Encouraging parental involvement