FlashPort: The Next Generation In E-Portfolios? - The Use of Portable Applications as e-Portfolio Tools in Teacher Education

Eportfolios are becoming increasingly important in HE in the UK and have tended to move towards web-based versions which are either institutionally owned, or hosted by a commercial company. Whilst there are certainly advantages with these models there are important considerations over the transferability and ownership of students¿ work. This paper reports on the design and implementation of an alternative model, using a set of portable applications as ePortfolio tools for use by initial teacher education students. The work focuses on adding a range of small stand alone applications to USB flash drives along with a set of files and templates focusing on the students¿ studies. To this we have given a generic name - `FlashPort¿ - and developed a specific version for trainee teachers that we have called `eLiPort¿. The research takes the form of an intervention, following the introduction of eLiPort to a group of trainee teachers on a one year Secondary (High School) teaching course in the UK. Findings of the initial research are discussed along with how the challenges were addressed, its use in practice and the implications for the future.