ERIC Number: EJ972563
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1052-4800
EISSN: N/A
Using Personal Interest Portfolios to Promote Engagement and Improve Student Learning in a Large Undergraduate Course
Birkett, M.; Neff, L.; Pieper, S.
Journal on Excellence in College Teaching, v23 n2 p49-67 2012
Portfolios are used for many purposes; however, data describing their utility in promoting student engagement and learning in large undergraduate survey courses have not been reported. A large survey course presents a number of teaching and learning challenges that portfolios help to address, such as the ability of the teacher to maintain student engagement and contribute to authentic in-depth learning. To evaluate the effects of portfolios on engagement and learning, 46 students in a large undergraduate course were surveyed about their experience with a personal interest portfolio project. Student responses indicated that creating portfolios increased their interest in the class and contributed to their self-awareness and learning. Benefits and challenges of instituting portfolios in large undergraduate courses are discussed. (Contains 4 tables.)
Descriptors: Undergraduate Study, Portfolios (Background Materials), Introductory Courses, Large Group Instruction, Learner Engagement, Student Interests, Course Content, Animal Behavior, Cognitive Processes, Neurological Organization, Student Surveys, Feedback (Response)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A