Teaching Development Grants
Completed TDG Projects

IT in the Curriculum and E-learning

E-portfolio – a Tool for Reflective, Autonomous Learning: Evaluation and Further Development


Abstract

Operational Priorities of HKU suggest to continuously adapt the teaching in order “to enhance the lifelong learning capability of the graduates”. The aim of this proposal was to evaluate a teaching & learning tool, “E-portfolio platform”, which was developed, pilot-tested and further improved. The e-portfolio platform, adopted in pilot projects, implemented by the PI, positioned e-portfolios, as a personalized digital collection of artefacts, which were organized in a purposeful way to assess learning growth over time and scaffolded through continuous formative feedback from the tutor. The created ePortfolio provided a fundamental platform for meaningful and sustainable interaction between the students and the teacher in the continuous construction of knowledge towards any undergraduate programmes’ intended learning outcomes. It enhanced the metacognition of own learning through repeated reflection. This was assessed as previously suggested (Parkes KA, 2013). A number of similar tools are under development at the HKU, and this TDG project in our view has significantly contributed to filling this gap. The final product of this project provided a unique virtual learning environment, creating thereby a richer and diverse learning experience, complementing face-to-face modes of learning. The finalized e-portfolio platform is available today for the general use, not only at the Faculty level, but also to any tutor/students at the HKU.

Principal Investigator

Dr. T. Sobko, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science Contact

Project level

Programme-level project

Project Completion

September 2017

Deliverables

In order to achieve the objectives of this TDG proposal, the following deliverables were achieved:

  • A thorough literature review has been conducted and is available upon request.
  • Multiple dissemination seminars have been conducted both at the HKU and at Auckland University during the recent TEFS visit.
  • Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are available for other programmes/courses/faculties.
  • An enhanced ePortfolio matrix for an undergraduate programme.

  • An assessment scale for evaluation of ePortfolio and measurement of the enhancement the student/peer/teacher interaction.
  • Workshops to increase teachers’ awareness and understanding on ePortfolio (University of Auckland and HKU).
  • Round-table discussions with the host Faculty on the impact of the action plan outcomes.
  • The PI participated in an international invitation-only colloquium on ePortfolio to be held at the University of Auckland Faculty of Education and Social Work November 2016. This two-day colloquium brought together the leading researchers in the Asia-Pacific region with ePortfolio practitioners at the University of Auckland to discuss current knowledge and experience in using ePortfolios in higher education. This colloquium aimed to identify challenges and successes around four major topics (i.e., technological issues, challenges in gaining and maintaining student engagement, assuring higher order learning outcomes are achieved, and assuring quality in assessment and evaluation processes).
  • 5 academic outputs: 1 accepted paper, 2 accepted abstracts for a conference oral presentation and 1 paper is under review in AJET and 1 more is in a manuscript form.
    1. Power of personal data in learning engagement: Individual Activity Tracker data within an ePortfolio leading to eHealth literacy acquisition. T Sobko*, M Notari, G Brown. Under review in AJET
    2. Personal biometric information from wearable technology tracked/followed through the ePortfolio tool. M Notari, T Sobko*, D Churchil (2015) Accepted Abstract to IADIS
    3. Can wearable technology improve the acquisition of new literacies? A new pedagogical approach of situated individual feedback coming from the wristwatches and reflected upon in the ePortfolio. M Notari T Sobko*, D Churchil (2015) Accepted Abstract to IMLF
    4. Examining effectiveness of ePortfolio tool in teaching and learning. T Sobko*, G Brown. Manuscript