As the first research institution in the german-speaking area, Salzburg Research saw a potential in the portfolio method for a new generation of e-learning.

What is an e-portfolio?
An e-portfolio is a digital collection of meaningful works of a particular person (= lat. artefacts). Its purpose is to document and represent the product (knowledge) and the process (learning curve/increase of knowledge) of a person's achieved competencies within a specific time period and towards a particular learning goal. The person has to decide which artefacts he/she wants to include and how to organise them in relation to his/her learning goal. As the owner of the e-portfolio, the person has full control of who is able to see, what kind of information of his/her e-portfolio, how much information and at what specific time. (cf. Wolf Hilzensauer / Veronika Hornung-Prähauser, 2005)

Therefore e-portfolios are more than a folder with digital application materials. They are at the same time a method for self-directed learning and a digital learning tool: hyperlinks, web-based learning environments and new publication tools for the Internet support the storage of a multitude of artefacts, the connection with learning targets and a flexible illustration as well as presentation. E-portfolios are tools for the structured collection, storage and illustration of the "way" (efforts, progresses) as well as "target" (gain new knowledge, development of subject-, method- or social competences) by means of digital information objects. Portfolio artefacts are for example: learning target arrangements, work assignments, essays, project reports, papers, reflections, portfolio criterias, verbal and non-verbal assessment, certificates, awards etc.

What is the different between portfolio and an e-portfolio? The "added values" of an electronic portfolio are e.g....

• archiving different media types (text, audio, video)
• finding new ways of archiving (from different archives)
• chronological documentation of a learner's biography
• telling stories
• collaborating with tutors and peers publishing information

The technology supported portfolio method can be divided into the following processes.

 
Publications and activities of the application area

Selected publications:

• Grab your future with an ePortfolio. Study on new qualifications and skills needed by teachers and career counsellors to empower young students with the ePortfolio concept and tools. Joint study of the EU project MOSEP – More self-esteem with my ePortfolio under coordination of Salzburg Research. http://www.mosep.org

A series of conferences have been organised from the EduMedia Team in the last years. The 4th EduMedia Conference in the year 2008 will cover again the topic E-Portfolio.

News from the application area can be read under "News" in the category "E-Portfolio".

Since the establishment of the E-Portfolio-Initiative Austria, the application area of Salzburg Research more precisely Veronika Hornung-Prähauser is member of this consortium. The target of the Initiative is, to sustainable establish this instrument in the field of education and also the industry.