The use of eportfolios as a pedagogical tool for leadership preparation and development in education
Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education
ISSN: 2050-7003
Article publication date: 14 September 2015
Abstract
Purpose
A critical function of leadership formation is the leader’s deepening sensitivity, reflexivity, and self-reflection on one’s own, and others, practice. A particular tool that has potential to support such endeavour is the eportfolio (EP) (currently referred to as a personal learning space). The paper aims to discuss these issues.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents a personal report from a collaborative self-study which focused on the usefulness and potential of EPs as a tool for leadership formation that might: first, support learning enquiries, second, enable contemplative thinking and reflection, and third, coordinate personal representations of “who” we are.
Findings
Having engaged as academics in a collaborative quest to embrace the technology of EPs in the everyday professional lives, while also critiquing the influence and power of the tool, the authors present a personal position for the use of EPs in leadership programmes as well as some critical dimensions that appear to awaken and enable self-reflective practices.
Originality/value
As a tool which can enable leadership formation, EPs can evoke individual and collective voice within a generative and shared space.
Keywords
Citation
Giles, D. and Bell, M. (2015), "The use of eportfolios as a pedagogical tool for leadership preparation and development in education", Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education, Vol. 7 No. 2, pp. 443-452. https://doi.org/10.1108/JARHE-12-2012-0070
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited