ePortfolios: A Steep Learning Curve to a World of Opportunities

I kept putting off my research and experimentation with ePortfolios, namely Mahara, simply because it didn’t seem that simple to use. The learning curve however, is worth it when looking at the benefits. Students and teachers alike can use ePortfolios to upload projects, images, documents and other files. So, to begin with, it can be used as a file storage system. From these ‘artefacts’, users can develop ‘views’ that are viewable to predetermined groups. These views can be used to present assessment, facilitate research and discussion, as a showcase for an individual’s abilities and even as an online resume. In this digital world, the ability to navigate and use ICT is as important as the information being conveyed. ePortfolios can demonstrate ICT skills to assessors, employers and whoever is viewing. They literally become a showcase of the user’s abilities that can be constantly updated and used in many contexts for many years to come.

Sites such as Mahara are also a community, making learning more connected through collaboration. This ePortfolio website houses a community surrounding the University of Denver. There are many networking possibilities of a fully developed web-based community such as this. The connections allow for better curriculum development through ongoing feedback, better coordination across different faculties and also community involvement.