Home > EPortfolio
In the context of education and learning an ePortfolio is a portfolio based on electronic media and services. It consists of a personal digital record containing information such as personal profile and collection of achievements, information on which different services can be provided to the owner of the ePortfolio and the people and organisations to whom the owner has granted access.
What gives ePortfolios the edge over traditional portfolios is the considerable increase in the number and quality of services that can be provided to individuals and the community. In order to make these services widely accessible, ePortfolios must comply with interoperability standards .
Today ePortfolios are widely used in
- the academic sector -- especially in the US
- teacher training -- US, Scandinavia, UK
- medical education and continuing professional development -- Canada, UK, Netherlands
It would seem that Europe would be more advanced in the use of the ePortfolio in the continuing professional development sector. One example is the Royal College of Nursing (RCN), the largest professional body in the UK (350,000 members) who uses ePortfolio for reaccrediation of nurses.
The ePortfolio worldwide
The following non-exhaustive list gives an idea of the use of the ePortfolio in different parts of the world:
- US – here we find the most extensive use, but it is largely limited to the field of education. Numerous consortia have been created for promotion of the ePortfolio. A growing number of institutions are encouraging - even requiring - students to produce portfolios. They are used for development, assessment, entry to graduate school and in seeking employment.
- Canada – well established in both English and French speaking Canada in schools and teacher education. The Quebec government, in a special report, has made a commitment to the development of the electronic portfolio.
- Finland – considerable research and development in teacher education. Also seen as promising for special education.
- Australia – used in schools, students, teacher education and special education.
- UK – well established in all sectors of education and the only country currently extending work on the ePortfolio for continuing professional development – most notably in the medical sector.
- The Netherlands – used principally in teacher education.
- Sweden – has undertaken a joint initiative with the US: Personal learning portfolios: Folio Thinking.
- Singapore – the National Institute of Education is leading a project on electronic portfolios and IT integration and education.
