E-Portfolios: Product and Process in Assessing Competencies for Social Work Education

Electronic portfolios are being used in many disciplines to demonstrate student- and program-level competence. This article presents a case study of a BSW program that implemented an e-portfolio project in the multiple contexts of developing pedagogy to meet the needs of millennial students, emphasizing evidence-based practice, and preparing for reaffirmation under the new Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of competency-based education. Information about the basic structure, response rates, and assessment data are presented. Qualitative data were collected and analyzed from students and faculty liaisons. Product dimensions of the e-portfolio were identified as well as the learning processes that may be facilitated, including critical thinking, reflection, metacognition, and self-directed and collaborative learning. Challenges were also identified. Although preliminary findings are promising, additional research is necessary to determine the benefits of the e-portfolio as a tool for social wor...