Web- or paper-based portfolios: is there a difference?
OBJECTIVE
To determine the differential effects of a paper-based versus a web-based portfolio in terms of portfolio quality, user-friendliness and student motivation.


METHODS
An experimental design was used to compare Year 1 medical students' reflective portfolios. The portfolios differed in presentation medium only (i.e. web-based versus paper-based). Content analysis, a student questionnaire and mentor interviews were used to evaluate portfolio quality, user-friendliness and student motivation. A total of 92 portfolios were scored independently by 2 raters using a portfolio quality-rating instrument.


RESULTS
Portfolio structure, quality of reflection and quality of evidence showed no significant effects of presentation medium. Multi-level analysis showed a significant effect for student motivation: web-based portfolios scored 0.39 more than paper-based portfolios (P < 0.05; effect size 0.76). The mentors reported no differences in portfolio quality, except that there were more visuals in web-based portfolios. Students spent significantly more time preparing the web-based than the paper-based portfolios (15.4 hours versus 12.2 hours; t = 2.1, P < 0.05; effect size 0.46). The 2 student groups did not differ significantly in terms of their satisfaction with the portfolio. The mentors perceived the web-based portfolios as more user-friendly.


CONCLUSIONS
The web-based portfolios were found to enhance students' motivation, were more user-friendly for mentors, and delivered the same content quality compared with paper-based portfolios. This suggests that web-based presentation may promote acceptance of portfolios by students and teachers alike.
Driessen
Erik W
EW
Department of Educational Development and Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. E.Driessen@educ.unimaas.nl
Muijtjens
Arno M M
AM
van Tartwijk
Jan
J
van der Vleuten
Cees P M
CP
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology; D009042:Motivation; D010465:Perception; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology*; D013664:Teaching Materials