The document discusses a case study that followed 24 flexible learners over one academic year to examine how eportfolios can enhance learning experiences and the development of critical thinking. The study adopted a case study approach and the research question asked how eportfolios can enhance the nature of learning and criticality among flexible learners. The theoretical frameworks discussed were critical thinking as a judgment process using appropriate methods and criteria, and eportfolios as digital artifacts created by learners to articulate experiences and learning. Examples of student work showed reflections on studying sociology and connections to earlier philosophy studies. Data analysis was part of the research design.

1. Developing criticality using a Mahara digital portfolio
Orna Farrell
@orna_farrell
orna.farrell@dcu.ie

2. About me
Academic Coordinator/Digital Learning Specialist-
Humanities Programmes, Open Education Unit, NIDL,
DCU
Phd candidate TCD- dissertation title “An exploration
of the development of criticality and the nature of
learning with an eportfolio among flexible learners
”under supervision of Dr. Aidan Seery
My first eportfolio May 2009

3. Background
• Slow pace of adoption of
eportfolios in Irish HE
• pockets of engagement as
module assessment none at
programme level(Eportfoliohub, 2016)

4. The case study
The project adopts a case study approach, following 24 flexible learners over the course of one academic
year in DCU
The research question for the study is:
How can eportfolios enhance the nature of the learning experience and the development of
criticality among flexible learners?

5. Theoretical framework-critical thinking
critical thinking is a judgement process. Its
goal is to decide what to
believe and/or what to do in relation to the
available evidence, using appropriate
conceptualizations and
methods and evaluated by the appropriate
criteria.”(Facione & Facione, 2008)

6. Theoretical framework-eportfolio
“An eportfolio is the product created by the
learner, a collection of digital artefacts
articulating experiences, achievements
and learning.”(Jisc, 2008)

7. Research Wahlberg
@ResearchMark

8. Design of the study

9. Critical questions template

10. Examples of student work

11. Examples of student work
“So far, my study in this module has encouraged a deeper reflection into my
view of how society functions. As a student of sociology I try to find ways of
looking at subjects from a variety of medium and discussions with people
around me.”
“The reflective journal platform does bring me to muse about some of
my earlier studies within the Humanities fields. The Philosopher; Plato,
thought that everybody was born with all the knowledge in the
universe, and learning is actually remembering a half-remembered
shadow of the true concept which we knew before we were born.”

12. Data Analysis

13. Thank You