E-portfolio as an alternative assessment approach enhancing self-directed learning in an Open Distance Learning environment
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Authors
Nkalane, Patience Kelebogile
Issue Date
2018-11
Type
Thesis
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative assessment , E-portfolio , Self-directed learning , Critical thinking skills and higher order thinking skills , E-learning and online assessment
Alternative Title
Abstract
Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning in higher education. The use
of technology in higher education, particularly in the ODL environment, has brought
some changes on how we teach and assess students. The traditional assessment
practices needed to be reviewed and reconfigured to meet the requirements of the 21st
century assessment practices. The purpose of this doctoral study was to design a
framework to guide the assessment of an E-portfolio as an alternative assessment
approach in an ODL context. The integrated theoretical framework of the learning
theories (behaviourism, cognitive and constructivist) and the ODL theories
(connectivist, online collaborative and self-directed) underpinned the study. This
integrated framework explored lecturer and student experiences in the use of Eportfolio, as an alternative assessment to enhance self-directed learning. In striving to
get in-depth insight into this study, the pragmatism paradigm, which calls for the mixed
methods research design, was employed for the collection and analysis of data. The
sample was drawn from a cohort of six participants and fifty-six respondents in the
three colleges of the university. This sequential exploratory mixed methods design
employed semi-structured interviews, document analysis for qualitative data collection
while a Likert scale of an online questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data.
The findings of this research indicated that the E-portfolio can be of greater use as an
alternative assessment approach and was able to empower students with higher order
thinking skills, critical thinking skills and self-directed learning equipping them with the
21st century skills. Several challenges were experienced during the implementation of
the E-portfolio, which included lack of digital literacies and technical assistance, nonsynchronisation of the learning management system for hosting E-portfolio (myUnisa),
UNISA’s policies which do not include E-portfolio assessment processes and
procedures. In conclusion, the literature study, the findings of the empirical research
and the recommendation of this study formed the basis for designing the framework
to guide the assessment of an E-portfolio as an alternative assessment strategy for an
ODL context.