E-Portfolios

Last year, Menlo College launched its new ePortfolio platform, designed to support students and faculty in their academic and professional endeavors.

An ePortfolio is a digital space where the user can collect a wide variety of content, including essays, spreadsheets, images, videos, or audio comments. It is optimized for sharing documents, but looks and functions like a website. And with the transition to remote learning, ePortfolios have provided an easy and effective way for students to submit and share digital work.

ePortfolios are often used in the classroom to give students the opportunity to collect, curate, and reflect on their work and their learning process. As students revisit their work over weeks, months or years, and make choices about what to incorporate into a portfolio to represent their intellectual development, this process helps them to recognize their own progress and growth, and to construct a meaningful whole out of diverse educational experiences. ePortfolios also provide a platform for creating and sharing individual or collaborative projects, or showcasing experiential learning opportunities that happen outside of the classroom, such as participating in internships, undergraduate research, study abroad, and service learning.

Menlo faculty who have incorporated ePortfolios into their curricula report positive impacts on student learning. Rachel Turner, an adjunct professor of English, noted, “ePortfolios allow students to look back on their work and perform reflection tasks, which are good for metacognition.” The portfolios also give students a space to “talk about their learning challenges and successes,” added Lauren John, an instructor in the Intensive English Program and tutor in the Writing and Oral Communication Center. Mathematics Lecturer Jessica Mean affirmed, “Overall, my students’ ePortfolios looked great and they enjoyed the experience.”

When they’re ready to look for jobs or internships, students can use ePortfolios to share evidence of their skills with future employers, while telling a story about who they are and showcasing the unique combination of abilities and experiences that sets them apart. A recent study sponsored by the American Association of Colleges and Universities surveyed 318 employers and found that 83% viewed an electronic portfolio of student accomplishments as very (43%) or fairly (40%) useful to them in ensuring applicants have the skills and knowledge to succeed in their company or organization. Menlo alumni also continue to have access to the platform after graduation, so they can update their ePortfolios as their careers develop.

Menlo’s ePortfolio platform also provides a forum for faculty to share research and showcase teaching experiences and professional accomplishments.

The ePortfolio program has seen significant expansion in the past year. It was piloted in selected sections of English courses, and has now been adopted in courses across 6 different departments. Over 800 portfolios have been created by Menlo students, faculty, and staff. ePortfolio Coordinator Dr. Lisa Villarreal provides training and support for faculty who would like to incorporate ePortfolios into their curriculum.

ePortfolios are the latest innovation Menlo has embraced to enhance student learning and provide continued support to graduates. They give students authority over their own learning, enabling them to measure personal, professional, and intellectual development, all while learning digital literacy skills and methods for crafting a compelling public identity online – essential competencies for the twenty-first century.