ePortfolios+and+Learning+Management+Systems+(Allison)

Learning Management Systems (LMS) can be used as a platform for the use of ePortfolios both as an access point, storage and certain elements can be meshed to enable tools such as forums to be directly saved into the student’s personal portfolio.

"E-portfolios can exist outside an online learning system or they can be embedded within it; currently many of the proprietary online learning platforms (for example Moodle, Blackboard and WebCT) are working to include this facility within their offerings." ( Maher, Marguerite & Gerbic, Philippa, 2009,p.44) LMS are an ideal platform for ePortfolios as they are regularly accessed by students for learning so their ePortfolios are more likely to be regularly updated and utilized in a meaningful way to extend or conserve their learning experiences.

"The personalised nature of eportfolios fits well with the current trend of new social networking softwares, and may provide a more relevant digital technology for many of today’s digital natives." ( Maher, Marguerite & Gerbic, Philippa 2009, p.44)

LMS allow the students to easily transfer what they are doing in their subject to their ePortfolio and to share their learning with peers within the subject or course cohort. This allows meaningful exchanges of information across digital divides and remote locations around the world enabling students to store both individual and collaborative works.

Some of the difficulties with ePortfolios offered through LMS are that they are often envisaged by lecturers/trainers as very assessment or subject based whereas students/clients may connect with them on a more personal level with aims for employment or social networking. "It is now possible with some e-portfolios to provide two different views which enable students to separate these different goals; however, students must learn to do this and to understand these different purposes." ( Maher, Marguerite & Gerbic, Philippa, 2009,pp. 45-46)

For the use of LMS to be effective in relation to ePortfolios the institution offering them needs to carefully plan through their usage and transferability across subject areas and to the outside world so students/clients have an intrinsic purpose for using them.

References: Maher, M & Gerbic, P (2009) //E-portfolios as a Pedagogical Device in Primary Teacher Education: The// // AUT // // University //// Experience // In; Australian Journal of Teacher Education Vol 34, 5, October 2009 43, p.44-46