From potential to reality: the development and use of an eportfolio in social work learning and assessment.

Students studying for a degree in social work in England are required to undertake one hundred and seventy days of direct practice with service users in social care settings, ordinarily divided into two practice placement blocks. Traditionally students on practice placements have produced a hard copy portfolio which compiles evidence to meet a range of educational and professional capabilities, as well as demonstrating key attributes such as critical thinking and reflection. Following a scoping exercise which demonstrated that there were significant advantages to using an electronic portfolio, the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Lincoln developed, piloted and introduced an e-portfolio on both its’ undergraduate and Master’s social work degree programmes. This paper provides a rationale and contextualisation for the introduction of this type of innovative digital technology and reviews the pedagogical, professional and practical opportunities and limitations presented by the e-portfolio. The e-portfolio has been well received both by students and staff responsible for their assessment on placement, and commended for its flexibility, interactivity and portability. This presentation will provide an opportunity for participants to view the e-portfolio in operation and to discuss how it contributes to the evaluation of learning and the assessment of student performance.