Helen Barrett

ICT Support for Electronic Portfolios and Alternative Assessment

This paper covers the use of technology to support three aspects of Alternative Assessment: Observations of Student Learning, Performance Assessments, and Electronic Portfolios. Discussion includes the differences between Performance Assessments and Portfolios, definition of electronic portfolios, the benefits of electronic portfolios, along with the author’s five-stage and five-level electronic portfolio development process. Technology tools to support electronic or digital portfolios are outlined, including proprietary software and the use off-the-shelf multimedia development software. Significant research in electronic portfolio development will be discussed along with examples from the USA and international examples with corresponding web sites.