Crossing the Digital Divide: Online Portfolios in a Diverse Student Environment

Abstract

Traditional portfolios, typically in the form of three-ring binders, are now being replaced with electronic versions on CD-ROM, DVD and the Internet. Two directions for electronic portfolios are those created with software tools found on computers, or Web-based storage systems generally accompanied by data management systems that allow assessment of portfolio data. The use of electronic portfolios, either Web-based or software generated, offers great promise but also poses significant challenges. This chapter describes the challenges and successes involved in crossing the digital divide from traditional to Web-based portfolios in a diverse student environment in higher education.