ERIC Number: EJ1382304
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: EISSN-2209-3591
E-Portfolios in EFL Writing: Benefits and Challenges
Cheng, Ying-Hsueh
Language Education & Assessment, v5 n1 p52-70 2022
While the benefits of portfolio assessment are well documented in second language (L2) writing literature, educators still face challenges as they seek to incorporate it in their classrooms. This study explored English as a Foreign Language (EFL) college writers' perceived benefits and challenges of e-portfolio creation and evaluation by following two classes of sophomore students for two academic years. Through the analyses of a questionnaire, students' reflections, and interviews, five themes emerged regarding the perceived benefits: (1) allowing students to review and reflect, (2) developing ownership and authorship, (3) seeing improvement and feeling empowered for writing, (4) cultivating digital literacies skills, and (5) enhancing scaffolded learning. Moreover, three challenges were found regarding students' utilization of e-portfolios: technical difficulties, time taken to edit their posts, and learner issues. Overall, most students valued the practices of creating and evaluating their own "Wix"-based e-portfolios which displayed their development and growth as writers and learners over time. Although some students reported challenges to constructing the "Wix"-based e-portfolios, they considered the e-portfolio approach innovative, integrated, and reflective. This study concludes with implications for educators who wish to integrate the portfolio approach through web-based platforms.
Descriptors: Electronic Publishing, Portfolios (Background Materials), English (Second Language), Second Language Learning, Writing Instruction, Affordances, Barriers, College Students, Technology Uses in Education, Portfolio Assessment, Foreign Countries, Student Attitudes
Castledown Publishers. Ground Level, 470 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, 3004, Australia. Tel: 646-520-0676; e-mail: contact@castledown.com; Web site: https://www.castledown.com/journals/lea/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Taiwan
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A