The Electronic Portfolio as a Teaching Complement for Technical Skills in Health Sciences

Abstract

The portfolio has gathered pace in recent years, being a useful tool for teaching and assessment. The main goal is to improve learning through student reflection and continuous feedback of evaluations. The implantation of information technology has facilitated the introduction of the electronic portfolio (e-portfolio). Based on previous experience with portfolios, it was decided to implement it in some subjects within Medicine and Dentistry in the Department. The objectives of the study (2009-2013) have been assessing the response to its introduction, assess student satisfaction and determine the extra load imposed on the teaching process. The topic has focused on clinical skills of students, using the e-portfolio Mahara®, installed on the Virtual Campus of Barcelona University. There have been 1241 e-portfolios and 1611 email exchanges between teachers and students. All assessment is carried out on-line (average response time 48 hours, 40 minutes /portfolio). Satisfaction surveys show a high level of acceptance by the students. This allows one to conclude that the e-portfolio has proven to be a good teaching tool, presenting a high degree of compliance and satisfaction among students, encouraging student-teacher relationships.