Factors Influencing the Successful Introduction of Portfolios

Abstract

Factors influencing the successful introduction of portfolios are described. A portfolio is a purposeful collection of all kinds of documents and other artefacts that together give an impression of how tasks were fulfilled and how competence has developed. A portfolio can also contain reflections and plans for future development. Although portfolios are often promoted as valuable instruments in innovative educational practices, the introduction of portfolios in everyday education often leads to disappointment. Factors that influence the success of the introduction of portfolios are the match between the purpose of using a portfolio and the portfolio content and structure; the educational configuration in which the portfolio is introduced; the support of teachers, students and educational leaders; and the availability of an adequate infrastructure.

The use of portfolio to support competency-based professional development of pharmacists in a Singapore tertiary hospital

“…Van Tartwijk describes a model of factors influencing the successful introduction of portfolio in education: people (teachers and learners), academic leadership and infrastructure (van Tartwijk et al, 2007). Developing a portfolio and assessing it involves putting a lot of effort and time both from the assessor and the pharmacist.…”

Career College Students' Perceptions of Portfolios and Their Influence in the Hiring Process

“…A traditional portfolio is a collection of papers or documents compiled in an organized fashion and held in a binder. The paper portfolio, unlike its electronic counterpart, does not require any new software or hardware specific knowledge, and does not stress technical infrastructure with a large amount of necessary server space according to Tartwijk et al (2007). While paper portfolios may be hard to carry or transport, they are also tactile and in many cases more meaningful.…”

“…The second condition involves creation of portfolios to foster a self-directed learning environment in which students are active in the learning process. The final condition refers to how portfolios are introduced to students and faculty (Tartwijk et al, 2007). These conditions are ideal for portfolio use as an assessment.…”

“…According to Tartwijk, Driessen, Van Der Vleuten, and Stokking (2007), there are three conditions where the success of portfolios can be maximized. The first condition involves creating portfolios that are tied to goals and content, which leads to a meaningful collection of materials for reflection.…”

“…95 percent of the employers, who responded to the survey done by Ward & Moser (2008), said that they would prefer to access e-portfolio information on the Internet. According to Tartwijk et al (2007), e-portfolios allow for the linkage of content through the use of hyperlinks to form a richer picture of student work using Microsoft PowerPoint or a personal website.…”