book review : The Educational Potential of E-portfolios

[kev.brace]

The Educational Potential of E-portfolios: Supporting Personal
Development and Reflective Learning

http://escalate.ac.uk/4518

[Ray Tolley]

Hum... This book was fist published in 2007 and even then I thought that it
was out of date! A beguilingly well written book, easy to read but
generally reinforcing the position of some HE institutions of possibly five
years ago.

What I found particularly disappointing was the last chapter, 'E-portfolio
Futures' in which illustrates a good variety of hypothetical case studies,
again, well written. Each section nicely and imaginatively depicts various
scenarios but reinforcing the current thinking of 3-4 years ago of different
e-Portfolios for different purposes. This is in contradiction to the policy
of establishing one e-Portfolio, often using the same material for different
purposes and for different audiences, all at the same time!

Again, the section on peer-assessment could have been expanded upon and
formative assessment is not really addressed. It's a pity that the authors
did not have to hand W.J Popham's book, 'Transformative Assessment'. (2008)

Many thoughtful questions are raised but generally suggesting doubts as to
whether e-Portfolios will ever survive. Almost every page raises
difficulties which I would claim have been overcome or are in the process of
being enhanced.

A good read, but it needs to be accompanied by a teacher who can say, 'Yes,
we can!' and can deliver the arguments to support a more confident view not
of 'educational potential' but of 'educational practice'.

Ray Tolley  NAACE Fellow
ICT Education Consultant
Maximise ICT Ltd
P: http://www.raytolley1.xfolioworld.com
B: http://www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com/
W: http://www.maximise-ict.co.uk/eFolio-01.htm
Winner of the IMS 'Leadership Regional Award 2009'