Using ePortfolios to Integrate and Assess Learning across the Curriculum

Abstract

Students who are able to make connections across academic courses and co-curricular activities are often excellent students. They use skills to transfer knowledge from one context to another and benefit from this integration. Not all students do this without being taught. Using ePortfolios allows for learning to become visible across time and learning situations. This benefits students by allowing them to see and reflect on learning over time. And, because student learning and the resulting reflections are documented, others can see the student learning as well. Faculty mentoring can influence this process, guiding students through the reflection process and the creation of a learning ePortfolio that is a richer and more meaningful reflection of all that occurs during a student's time in higher education. In addition to the benefit to increase student learning, the technology used in ePortfolios can provide for a better assessment of student learning across an institution.