Embedding eportfolios in teacher education

Lessons from a multi-year implementation

Abstract

ePortfolios are being used in teacher education across Australia as a technology and as a process. They allow pre -and in-service teachers to showcase teaching practice against teaching standards and reflect on their practice throughout and after study. The University of Tasmania is implementing an eportfolio as an integral part of its Master of Teaching and Bachelor of Education programs to help with this process. This paper uses document analysis to describe the support strategies used in the previous two years of implementation of eportfolios at the university and outlines future plans for progressive implementation (including plans to change eportfolio technology and support implications). Some of the strategies used to implement eportfolios include: the use of a community of practice, the use of templates and scaffolds, support from L&T and IT infrastructure, embedding assessments in units; and modelling/building exemplars of effective portfolio practice.