Developing an ePortfolio Approach: Stories of Personal Learning

Abstract

This paper provides a summary of an ePortfolio approach in preservice teacher education based upon the belief that teacher education programs need to use ICT to enable the development of rich personal stories of learning. Often students still 'do the course'and see their courses disconnected from life experiences, and see their program as a set of disconnected, discrete courses. Through the conceptualisation of a mediated learning environment enabled by ICT, this paper summarises the design of a course called Learning with ICT guided by a mediated learner approach (MLA) and assessment for learning as key course design drivers. The course aims to prepare future teachers who demonstrate strong theoretical and practical understandings of designing effective ICT learning experiences, and are confident, proficient users of ICT. Central to the approach is the use of ICT connected by a metanarrative reflecting an understanding of ePortfolios as 'story'. The 'stories' attempt to encourage learners to connect their formal study with life experiences as well as constructing a platform to connect with other courses of study using Preskill's (1998) narratives of social criticism, apprenticeship, reflective practice, journey and of hope. While this paper focuses upon preservice teacher education, the account of this ePortfolio approach has implications for students developing their stories of personal learning in other educational settings.