E-portfolio assessment in measuring soft skills in teacher education program: preliminary findings

Azliza Muhammad

Abstract

Electronic portfolio or e-portfolio is used to assess teachers’ professional development concomitant to rapid growth of technology. The effect of using e-portfolio has changed the assessment method in teacher education system. As an innovative tool, the multiple forms of e-portfolio play various roles in professional and personal development through self-assessment, reflection, formative and summative approaches. The development of identity of a professional teacher with soft skills is essential therefore exposure and awareness of its importance should be emphasized early in teacher training. The aim of this paper is to elaborate preliminary findings on UPSI e-portfolio system on its learning websites, MyGuru and the perception of student teacher on using e-portfolio system to assess soft skills. The respondents of 78 students from teacher education program (5 samples during interviews and 73 samples responded on questionnaires) were selected using convenience sampling. The focused course of the research is Character Development, a compulsory course to all students of teacher education program. Data is obtained by mapping the components of UPSI’s eportfolio system, survey and students’ teacher focused group interview. Formerly, the eportfolio system of UPSI has a framework for the assessment however it needs to be upgraded to expand the functions of the assessment. The initial data from the students’ teacher perspective on e-portfolio indicated that they agreed it has potential as an assessment tool to evaluate soft skills. From the survey and interview, the students’ teachers were found to be ready to use e-portfolio system for soft skills assessment. It is suggested that the rubric of the soft skills in the UPSI e-portfolio system should be improved.

References

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