Learners should be encouraged to not only develop their knowledge but their practical skills; becoming a practitioner in their chosen field and to embrace its culture and methods of working. To support this ideal, portfolio-based learning designs can assist in developing practice that can act as developmental log and tracking mechanism that could demonstrate fitness to practise (Beetham & Sharpe, 2013). As with a traditional portfolio, the main purpose of electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) is built around the notion of learner-centeredness. So an electronic ePortfolio could be approached in the same way as a traditional portfolio but taking advantage of the technology affordances (Jisc Netskills, 2009).
ePortfolios are a digital tool or system that enables learners to collect and organise multimedia artefacts such as text, hyperlinks, images, video and audio to present their work and learning experiences (Mason et al, 2004). An ePortfolio becomes a product of learning and achievement in which the learner can further build upon throughout the learning journey. ePortfolios support an array of learning approaches such as reflection, self-directed and assessment of and for learning (Jisc 2008a, Becta 2007). The main benefits of ePortfolios are that they; encourage reflective learning, support personal development, and increase self-awareness and esteem of learners. Perhaps this is because the ePortfolio becomes a product of the learner by ownership through autonomous activity. Additionally, an ePortfolio can act as a transferable demonstration of achievement if a learner moves to another institution, progresses into Higher Education or employment (Jisc, 2008b).
The aim of this ePortfolio is to capture deliberations, interactions and collaborations with my peers studying the module of Theory and Evaluation of E-learning. The group are learning new theoretical perspectives such as interactivity and socio-cultural issues that can be applied to an online community of practice, but could be considered when devising other eLearning opportunities. This ePortfolio starts with an introduction to what they are and how they are used. Following this, I demonstrate the collection of my own contributions and participation regarding interactivity and socio-cultural perspectives, in the online environment Yammer that occurred over the space of a month. Finally the ePortfolio concludes with a reflection of the module activity and my practical experience of using an ePortfolio.