Professional Learning Ecosystem Support for ePortfolio Use in Australian Higher Education: An Historical Perspective

Abstract

Professional learning can be defined as the diverse learning opportunities undertaken by educators to improve their individual professional practice with the aim of creating beneficial learning environments for their students. Supporting educators wishing to implement, and ultimately embed, the use of ePortfolio practices into their teaching programs requires the support of an ePortfolio professional learning ecosystem. This is created when educators come together to share established practice and research, are given opportunities to participate in reflective dialogue and private reflection, and have the opportunity to apply and refine their ideas and practices. An ePortfolio professional learning ecosystem cannot rely on one source of input, such as a university’s professional development and networking opportunities. Rather, it requires the support of a wider, collaborative community of practice to create exemplary ePortfolio practice for learners. Such an ecosystem also requires the support of established users of ePortfolio in educational programs to share their experiences, both positive and negative. ePortfolios Australia was established in 2008 as one such professional learning ecosystem to provide experienced educators with a means to support their continued ePortfolio professional learning, and to help refine and seek validation of their own ePortfolio practices. This chapter explores the evolution of ePortfolio professional learning ecosystems at international, national, system and local levels through an historical perspective, and outlines the impetus of ePortfolios Australia as a contributor, its current status, and how and why this has supported Australian higher education’s use of ePortfolio.