The Use of ePortfolios for Multipurpose Assessment

Abstract

The Australian University which is the focus of this research is situated within an increasingly competitive context. The environment for tertiary education is one in which “prospective students are focusing on course quality and likely employment outcomes in making their selection” (Ronayne, 1999, p.8). Although universities have always had quality teaching and caring for students on their agenda, Government pressure for accountability in these matters is now more overt and with funding incentives for compliance included within these reform agendas. Increasingly, universities are being encouraged to focus on students’ learning rather than on teaching alone with many exploring feedback mechanisms which focus more on students’ perception of the learning that occurred rather than what the teacher/lecturer did. This paper investigates the potential of student ePortfolios to create an authentic feedback mechanism for students currently studying in the Bachelor of Education (Primary) at an Australian University.