According to Eynon and Gambino (2017), student ePortfolios can be defined as:

Web-based, student-generated collections of learning artifacts (papers, multimedia projects, speeches, images, etc.) and related reflections, focused on learning and growth…and can facilitate the learning process and help make learning visible to students themselves, to their peers and faculty, and to external audiences.

The following three learning value propositions put forward by Eynon and Gambino (2017) underlie their argument that ePorfolio should be recognized as a high impact practice, when done well.

  1. ePortfolio practice advances student success.
  2. ePortfolio practice makes student learning visible and supports reflection, integration, and deep learning.
  3. ePortfolio practice catalyzes learning centered institutional change.

According to Watson, Kuh, Rhodes, Penny Light, and Chen, (2016), ePortfolio is:

…a high impact practice (HIP) effects enhanced student learning and success by bringing to the teaching and learning process the intentional and integrative characteristics associated with how humans learn; not just in the moment but for sustained use and transferability from one instance to different instances of practice and application.

Because of the numerous positive research findings showing the high impact of ePorfolio, the Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC & U) have very recently added ePortfolio to their list of high impact practices, making the total 11 (Watson, et al, 2016, p. 66). Additionally, it has also been proposed that if ePorfolios are linked to other HIPs such as learning communities and collaborative assignments and projects, to name just two, and are done well, they become a meta high impact practice (Kahn, 2014, ).

References

 Kahn, Susan (2014, Winter). E-Portfolios: A Look at Where We’ve Been, Where We Are Now, and Where We’re (Possibly) Going. Peer Review, 16/1, p. 4-7. Retrieved from https://www.aacu.org/publications-research/periodicals/e-portfolios-look-where-weve-been-where-we-are-now-and-where-were.

Chen, Helen, Ittelson, John, & Penny Light (2012). Documenting Learning with ePortfolios. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco, CA.

Chen, Helen, Kuh, George, Penny Light, Tracy, Rhodes, Terrel and Watson, C. Edward (2016). Editorial: ePortfolios – The Eleventh High Impact Practice. International Journal of ePortfolio, 6/2, 65-69.

Eynon, Bret and Gambino, Laura M. (2017). High-Impact ePortfolio Practice. Stylus Publishing Inc., Stirling, VA.