Definition+and+Purpose

By defining what an ePortfolios is we may best describe its purpose.

Definition
Dr Helen Barrett (2006) defines a portfolios as:

//“... a collection of work that a learner has collected, selected, organized, reflected upon, and presented to show understanding and growth over time.” (p. 1)//

She further defines this in a second publication, White Paper: Researching Electronic Portfolios and Learner Engagement (2005):

//"In my definition, an electronic portfolio uses electronic technologies as the container, allowing students/teachers to collect and organize portfolio artifacts in many media types (audio, video, graphics, text); and using hypertext links to organize the material, connecting evidence to appropriate outcomes, goals or standards." (p. 5)//

Cambridge (2003), additionally defines the ePortfolio as:

//“what is produced when persons collect, select, reflectively interpret, and/or present their own evidence to support their assertions about what they have learned, know and can or should do...” (p. 29)//

Purpose
The definition of an ePortfolio can be directly dependent on its purpose and goal. Aalderink (2007), describe three main types or functions of eportfolios, the showcase or presentation, the assessment, and the process or development function.


 * The **presentation** portfolio is often used to put forward the best examples or evidence of learning. The owner decides what is published and can suit the content to fit a particular purpose such as to potential employers.
 * The **assessment** portfolio is used for accountability and thus are assessments of learning rather than assessments for learning, as distinguished by Barrett (2005). Portfolios used in this way are not student centered and generally not preferred by both students and teachers.
 * The **process** or **development** portfolio’s purpose is to capture the learning process. It provides appropriate ways to support learners in reflecting on the learning and allows them to make connections between learning.

This function is reinforced by Attwell (2007) who simply defines ePortfolios and their purpose:

//“...to define e-Portfolios as a process, rather than just a product or a technological system"//

It is important to realise that defining exactly what an eportfolio is, is difficult as the purpose dictates the definition. A concept discussed by JISC (2009) in their ePortfolio Info Kit.

//“...ideas of what an e-portfolio 'is' are complex and to an extent the definition and purpose will vary depending on the perspective from which a particular person is approaching the concept...”//

Therefore, an eportfolio may be defined quite differently across the educational sectors and settings. An eportfolio will potentially be used for a different purpose in early childhood education when compared to tertiary and hence what an eportfolio is may differ significantly.