An eportfolio is a dynamic concept that allows a student, or a learner of any subject, to build a portfolio online. This electronic portfolio can contain text, images, videos in some cases, hyperlinks and other such electronic testimony to the work of the person. An electronic portfolio allows one to constantly update their works online and access it from anywhere easily. Since a portfolio has various levels of access levels, a number of people can view it at the same time, without compromising on its quality.
Teachers can use an eportfolio as a learning record to document a student’s continuous progress. These portfolios can be linked to a learning plan of sorts with milestones to be achieved. This can be for individuals or groups of people or even a community that may share a common interest. The increasing number of virtual campuses has made such portfolios all the more important.
Eportfolios are of three main kinds and they are referred to by different names. You have the development portfolio or the working one. There is also the reflective or the learning one and finally, there is the showcase or the representational portfolio. As the name suggests, a developmental portfolio is one that you have worked on over a period of time and which can directly relate to your course of study.
A reflective or learning portfolio is where you express your opinions on what you have learnt and these create impressions about your work. A representational one is quite selective, as you may develop it to showcase particular strengths and talents. This one is normally used for career progression and the like.
Of late, there has been an increased use of electronic portfolios in schools and places of higher education. Long distance learning both basic and professional enhancement based also make extensive use of such portfolios. There are also therapy groups and those who work in the line of assessments who find the format useful.
The fact that an eportfolio does not make use of locally based hardware means it is much more cost effective than having an entire IT and hardware tech system in place. It can be centrally located and can be monitored round-the-clock, thanks to its virtual presence. Some of its general features are that students have complete control and can regulate what goes in and out of their portfolios. The views too can be customized by each student depending on the final use. A number of additional niche portfolios can be made within each one allowing the student to show what is necessary.
The entire program is based on a very simple platform requiring no major IT knowledge to operate. You can also set up goals for yourself in terms of milestones, reviews, submissions, etc. The templates that exist within the program will help you get the best out of the software.
When used by the training staff at GSS, the faculty will be able to view portfolios. This will give them a chance to make comments on a student’s progress, give out assignments, and even monitor the progress in an ongoing project.
The good thing about eportfolio servers is that a number of upgrades are constantly created and released into the market. Therefore, you will be up to date at all times. Everything on them is password secure and all student information will be encrypted with the likes of SSL with 128 encryption. Since the portfolio is web based, any form of media can be integrated into it. Online manuals are available to guide you through every step, making these an interesting study based asset to have.
