Terri Downer
University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia
Title: The blended approach: The use of eportfolios to prepare nursing and midwifery students for professional practice
Biography
Biography: Terri Downer
Abstract
EPortfolio use has gained momentum over recent years and many university programs now include ePortfolios across their curriculum. The relationship between ePortfolios and the development of professional competency and graduate employability is of growing interest in Higher Education. The use of innovative technological tools, such as an ePortfolio personalises the ongoing learning process. An ePortfolio allows students to organise, collect a range of artefacts and store evidence of professional development. Professional accreditation rquires evidence of competency and issues of storing and sharing paper-based copies have inspired the move towards ePortfolio. Many Universities both nationally across Australia and internationally (UK, Europe and USA) have adapted the original paper portfolio and transformed it using online technology such as ePortfolios. Additionally using ePortfolio for assessment and learning in clinical settings, allows students to access their personal portfolio via mobile devices. This provides immediate access to relevant information which can instantly be applied to learning (just in time learning). Furthermore ePortfolios are also useful when the student is applying for a permanent position for career development and and later as evidence of mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) requirements.