Maastricht University Library Wall

E-portfolio FHML-g

Purpose of the practice
Use of the portfolio facility of the electronic learning environment of Maastricht University (EleUM) for the educational portfolio of first year medical students.

Educational context
During their first year students in medicine are obliged to make a portfolio to record their results and reflect on their progress in and their strengths and weaknesses. Twice a year students make a self analysis and learning goals based on that analysis are recorded in a learning plan. During the academic year Students record their results, together with the corresponding evidence, in their portfolio. After a period of six months the results are evaluated in a conversation with their mentor, subsequently, new learning goals are formulated and a new learning plan is formulated.
Problems to be solved
The portfolio is in use for medical students since 2001, first only on paper. The reason to start with the portfolio in Blackboard was primarily to reduce the amount of administration resulting from the portfolios being sent to teachers.

Tools
In this practice the basic portfolio available in Blackboard is being used.

Results
Although some of the students don’t appreciate the concept of a portfolio as such too much, most of them are not dissatisfied with the electronic version. There are some complaints on the limitations of the Blackboard portfolio especially concerning the lay-out and editing of the portfolio.  A positive result is that logistics are much easier and also sharing the portfolio is easier.

Lessons learned
Adequate instruction of teachers and students is very important. It should be as easy as possible for students to build a portfolio in order to overcome any objections to the portfolio as such. The same rule applies for teachers, in their case the assessment of a portfolio may not be to difficult or time-consuming. In practice most users like the electronic portfolio altough a few don’t like it and have some difficulty using it.

Investment
No special investments were needed for the tool; the portfolio in Blackboard was already available. Investments in time have been made for instruction and support, both of teachers and students. At the moment students are given a 1-hour instruction and a manual.  Teachers are also given instruction in the use of the electronic portfolio as part of the total portfolio instruction of 6 hours.

Contact for more information
Name: Henny Peeters
Faculty: FHML-g
e-mail address: henny.peeters@educ.unimaas.nl
telephone number: 043 3885785

 AV, 9-11-2009