From application to graduation and beyond: Exploring user engagement with e-portfolios and the e-advantage

This paper is an expanded version of a paper presented at the EDEN conference, Vienna, June 2006. It expands the model of learner engagement in the e-portfolio process and defines types of engagement experienced by the user. The factors which impact on the type of engagement enjoyed by the user are numerous and the paper will argue that feedback provision and relevance are the two most important issues which affect learner engagement and engagement type. Technology is not a barrier to the user but to the educator. Ownership is a secondary factor and in this study is shown to have little impact on the engagement process. The paper will also look at the e-advantage as reported by the users and try to examine why learners choose to use e-portfolios.