Using e-Portfolios: The Impact of Online Group Work

Abstract

This case study investigated the impact of online group discussion activities in e-portfolio assignments. The settings were two sections of a course conducted in 2008 and one section of the course conducted in 2009. The courses used the same learning materials and followed the same course design except for type of group work. Group work activities through the use of e-portfolios were implemented in 2009 by using asynchronous online discussion forums in a blended-learning course format. The data were collected from the logs of e-portfolios and questionnaire surveys conducted at the end of the semester. Findings showed that students who participated in group work activities using e-portfolios demonstrated attitude to learn more actively and gained self-efficacy about learning. In addition, they perceived an ability to improve their work using self-reflective skills. Therefore, conducting group work through e-portfolio assignments was beneficial to their learning activities.