Trends

Well one could certain become bogged-down in the available technologies that might enhance teaching and learning! Engaging with the course material about Trends in education, and specifically the technologies available reminded me of an event in a staff education setting. About 2 years ago we, in the School of Midwifery, were discussing our blended learning programme at the end of a long day of face to face staff meeting/ education session. We had a guest speaker who began talking about cloud technology. Well at that point, we ‘lost’ one staff member who was so boggled by the use of this term, that she could not be ‘brought back’. To this day, she describes being on a flight home, and thinking about all the filing cabinets full of useful information that are stored in those clouds just below the plane!

This entertaining story illustrates the rapid changes that occur with technology which could leave us as teachers behind. As mentioned previously, I would like to examine ePortfolios as a trend in education, in more depth.

My interest in ePortfolios stems from being a midwife in practice and the frustration I have when reviewed bi-annually for Midwifery Standards Review (this is a review by a midwife and consumer looking at how we are meeting our Standards for Practice). This supportive process is valuable to me, however, I am always disappointed at the amount of paper I need to send off two weeks prior to the review, when I could easily send this electronically (9 pages of 3226 words + evidence for my last review!).

 Bronwyn discusses in her presentation (Hegarty, 2012) that ePortfolios are used for 3 purposes:

·         Learning portfolio: evidence of learning, personal growth, planning and monitoring learning.

·         Assessment: collection of work which is assessed.

·         Showcase: competencies for practice, presentation to employers.

What I am proposing for use in the School of Midwifery would be an amalgamation of all three of these.

In the BM students currently have a portfolio which follows them throughout their programme. We have assessments at strategic points which are portfolio based. For example, in the middle of second year Scope of Midwifery Practice course there is a portfolio assessment. This consists of:

·         Written logs (which are marked as they are presented so this is a roundup)

·         Record of attendance

·         Written reflections

·         Verbal/written feedback from women

·         Maintenance of clinical record – e.g. timesheets and Midwifery Council New Zealand requirements

So it seems our portfolio is an amalgamation of all three purposes outlined above. Some students are very creative within the portfolio while others do the bare minimum requested. I suspect that doing an ePortfolio would suit some and not others, so providing the option of a hard copy or e-portfolio would be beneficial.

Advantages

Disadvantages

·         More portable ·         Saves on printing (and therefore trees!) ·         More creative e.g. potential to use audio, video files ·         Most students become more digitally literate throughout the BM programme, so fits with the Blended Learning model. ·         Quick and convenient to submit ·         For tutor easier to store when marking (one tutor has 10 in her group to mark and transport) ·         The moderation process would be easier (particularly handy for those in satellites)

·         Some prefer tangible hard copy presentation ·         Security – would need password protection, rights for who could access, electronic signatures ·         Can it follow them post programme? ·         Can IT at OP support it? ·         Challenge to the technologically challenged

                                                                               

I have not used an ePortfolio myself but I’m keen to learn and would like to investigate Mahara as a tool.

References

Hegarty, B. (2012). ePortfolios – getting to the nuts and bolts. Prepared for flexible learning 2012. Retrieved from http://www.myplick.com/view/0tvI1ZlEeKQ/

Proposed Learning Technology

Within the Portfolio that student midwives present (described earlier), there are compulsory reflections. I propose that these be not only written but could be presented as an audio file or a video, or as an artistic piece (dance or art for instance) with a written or oral component.

 ePortfolio’s would enable the presentation of these more easily. This would suit some students who prefer to verbalise their reflections rather than having to convert them to a written format. It allows potential for a creative outlet which is not currently catered for within the first year, other than in presentations. These are often group presentations and require the whole group to collaborate.