1. White Paper
Researching Electronic Portfolios and Learner Engagement
By Helen C. Barrett, Ph.D., Research Director, The REFLECT Initiative
Researching Electronic portFolios: Learning, Engagement and Collaboration through Technology
Table of Contents
Abstract ..........................................................................................................................................2
Introduction to the Research on Electronic Portfolios...................................................................2
K-12 Student Portfolios .............................................................................................................4
Definitions..................................................................................................................................4
Exploring the Multiple Purposes for Electronic Portfolios............................................................5
Conflicting Paradigms ...............................................................................................................7
Defining a Purpose for the Portfolio........................................................................................13
Motivation and Student Engagement...........................................................................................15
Assessment of Learning or Assessment for Learning?............................................................16
The Importance of Reflection in Learning...............................................................................19
Technology Tools that Engage Learners in Reflection................................................................22
Conclusions..................................................................................................................................23
Recommended Additional Readings online: ...............................................................................23
References....................................................................................................................................24
Major portions of this document were previously published on the author’s website: http://electronicportfolios.org/