Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
for technology students to gain a thorough understanding of these critical new
technologies beyond mere Web research. Web-based portfolios provide
benefits that can never be realized with conventional portfolios” (p.11).
To follow up Professor Sander's statement, it is critical for all instructors and
students to embrace Web portfolio exploration, creation, and development not
only in technology and education driven disciplines, but also in all disciplines.
The Web portfolio is growing well beyond the boundaries of education and
technology fields and is finding its way outside of educational institutions and
into human resources and other corporate directions. This idea is supported by
Moonen and Tulner (2004) who reported:
But also beyond regular education, interest in electronic portfolio
is growing. EIfEL that commencing in May 2004, EIfEL
(European Institute for E-Learning) is going to provide all of its
Members with an electronic portfolio, the most innovative and
fastest growing technology in the field of education, training
and human resource development
.
While most current ePortfolio
initiatives happen in primary, secondary, and higher education,
the full potential of ePortfolios will be demonstrated through
lifelong learning
. '
The ePortfolio will be central to support
EIfEL's members' continuing professional development, and
the provision of certificates of competence to education, training,
learning and human resource development professionals. Those
certificates will cover all the activities involved in individual,
organizational and community learning, as defined in the forward
looking learning standards of competence developed by EIfEL.
(p. 7)
This quote and the commitment to Web portfolios from the European Institute
for E-Learning is a prime example of the initiation of Web portfolios outside of
academia and into the information society and prophesies the eventual trickling
of Web portfolios into mainstream society. With this in mind, the Web portfolio
should be viewed as a new medium for human persuasion, promotion, assess-
ment, and communication. The e-portfolio is finding application in business.
Carliner (2005) suggests that portfolios are to be used for job seeking or
developmental purposes. This is extremely important in creative fields, techni-
cal fields, and education. These fields have designated electronic portfolios as
