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The utilization of E -portfolios in the acceptance process for higher education institutions in New England
Abstract
A descriptive, exploratory research study was conducted using a survey questionnaire with a Likert-type scale format to attempt to measure the utilization of E-portfolios in the current acceptance process of higher education institutions in New England. Lorenzo and Ittelson (2005) define an E-portfolio as "...digitized collection of artifacts including demonstrations, resources, and accomplishments that represent an individual, group, or institution". A questionnaire was distributed which consisted of three sections: experience with E-portfolios, opinions about E-portfolios and demographics. The questionnaire was distributed to admissions personnel who attended the annual NETA (The New England Transfer Association) conference. NETA members are employed at either two or four year, public or private colleges or universities throughout New England (N = 47). From the survey responses, a paired t-test was used to compare institutional importance of E-portfolios to their perceptions on their use in higher education as a whole. All paired t-test results were significant at the .05 level (p < .05). When the respondents were asked if they accepted E-portfolios to replace standard tests (e.g. SAT, ACT, etc.) they rated importance at their own institutions (M = 1.7, SD = 1.0) compared to E-portfolio's importance in higher education (M = 2.4, SD = 1.2), t (32) = -3.627, p = .001 (two-tailed). Both of these mean values are well below the neutral value of 3 on the questionnaire's importance scale. Also noteworthy is the standard deviation of 1.0 which was the lowest variance of response on any question. Respondents also stated that high school application processes should include E-portfolios (M = 3.1, SD = 1.2), t (33) = -5.34, p = .000 (two-tailed), and higher educational institutions should provide training for the usage of high school E-portfolios in their admissions processes (M = 3.4, SD = 1.2), t (31) = -4.132, p = .000 (two-tailed). It can be tentatively surmised that in this exploratory study current admission professionals in New England do not think E-portfolio's are very important for admissions. Respondents also state that future admissions processes should include the use and training of high school E-portfolios.
Subject Area
Higher education|Educational software|School administration
Recommended Citation
Cohen, Debra A, "The utilization of E -portfolios in the acceptance process for higher education institutions in New England" (2006). Dissertation & Theses Collection. AAI3234446.
https://scholarsarchive.jwu.edu/dissertations/AAI3234446