The Use of Social Interaction Technologies in E-Portfolios

Abstract

The chapter focuses on the potential of electronic portfolios (e-portfolios) to engage and motivate the learners and presents a framework for the informed inclusion and adoption of social interaction technologies as a means to increase the effective use of e-portfolios. Electronic portfolios are a Web-based format for providing genuine evidence of student performance, self-reflection, competence, career planning and leadership. The e-portfolios meet the needs of the digital learner in the knowledge society. The collaboratively constructed artifacts enable the articulation of shared knowledge building and selfreflective practice, further confirming the status of e-portfolios as living documents. By their electronic nature, e-portfolios open promising opportunities for the assimilation of social interaction technologies such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, video, and photo sharing. The authors trace the development and use of e-portfolios within the context of higher education. Various e-portfolio tools are discussed along with their educational potential and the associated challenges.