LESSONS LEARNED: FUTRHER STRATEGIES FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF E-PORTFOLIOS IN ENGINEERING SCIENCES
Year: 2023
Editor: Buck, Lyndon; Grierson, Hilary; Bohemia, Erik
Author: Tyroller, Maria; Walter, Michael S. J.; Riess, Christian; Altieri, Mike
Series: E&PDE
Institution: Hochschule Ansbach, Germany,; Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule Amberg-Weiden, Germany
Section: Responsible innovation in design and engineering education
DOI number: 10.35199/EPDE.2023.54
ISBN: 978-1-912254-19-4
Abstract
In spring 2022, we implemented e-portfolios at a product design course for engineers in the bachelor's programme on ‘Sustainable Engineering’ at the University of Applies Sciences, Ansbach. The use of e-portfolios was new to both students and lecturers. To evaluate the effect the e-portfolio had on students, we accompanied the implementation with surveys and interviews.
This paper provides a comprehensive analysis of the evaluated results. Among other things, the following three main findings convinced us to continue with e-portfolio work. First, ~91% of the interviewed students felt that they were supported very well by our introduction. Second, ~93% got along well / very well with the functions of the e-portfolio software. Third, ~86% of those interviewed appreciated the freedom of design.
Prior to the implementation of e-portfolios in our first test course, we identified the following factors as crucial for the successful implementation of e-portfolios: a comprehensive personal introduction, extensive information material, continuous guidance, clear work instructions, room for flexibility and creativity to foster learners' individual strengths, and exchange between learners and teachers. This paper reflects on these initial factors.
The aspects identified for further improvement in the second round of e-portfolios, in the summer of 2023, are better technical preparation of the lecturers, the communication of technical borders in advance, timing of the accompanying e-portfolio workshops and a more comprehensive promotion of teamwork. The suggested modifications will be discussed in detail in this paper.
Keywords: E-Portfolio, design, student feedback, didactic strategies, teamwork