Introducing e-portfolios to pre-service teachers as tools for reflection and growth: lessons learnt

Abstract

E-portfolios are being introduced into initial teacher education programmes internationally to help pre-service teachers build records of their learning journeys and develop into reflective practitioners; to allow them to assemble collections of evidence of their achievements against graduate standards, which can function as digital CVs; and to facilitate the seeding of personal learning networks that will support lifelong learning after graduation. Despite certain tensions between these aims, the potential benefits of e-portfolios make them an increasingly popular choice in teacher education. In this article, we discuss the introduction of Wi-Fi-based e-portfolios into a Master of Teaching programme at an Australian university. These served primarily as developmental e-portfolios, or personal learning environments (PLEs), and were designed to place particular emphasis on reflective practice. We describe how the e-portfolios were perceived and used by pre-service teachers in the first year of their implementation, and indicate the challenges and limitations encountered. Lessons learnt from the implementation are outlined and recommendations are proposed.

Keywords:

• e-portfolios
• PLEs
• pre-service teachers
• reflective practice

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Corrigendum

Acknowledgement

We would like to thank Rachel Wicking for assisting with the preliminary literature review.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Grace Oakley

Grace Oakley is a lecturer in Primary and Early Childhood Education at The University of Western Australia. Current research focuses on m-learning (mobile learning) to support literacy learning.

Mark Pegrum

Mark Pegrum is a lecturer in e-learning and m-learning at The University of Western Australia. He teaches in Perth, Hong Kong, and Singapore. His current research focuses on mobile language learning.

Shannon Johnston

Shannon Johnston is an academic in Higher Education (e-learning). She provides support at The University of Western Australia in professional development, faculty projects, new software implementation, policy, and practice.