Joining the dots: where e-portfolios meet programmatic assessment

Universities Australia but also globally are looking into designing, developing and implementing sustainable and pedagogically meaningful approaches to holistic or programmatic assessment in their curricula. The use of an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) tool, the provision of longitudinal tutorial support, and credible feedback are often the key design challenges for programmatic assessment. At Macquarie University, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences designed, developed, and implemented a pedagogically sound and technologically workable and sustainable solution to programmatic (holistic) assessment using an e-portfolio tool for its newly established Bachelor of Clinical Science. This case study presents the objectives, challenges, and key lessons learned from the 2 year implementation of an e-portfolio tool to assess the capabilities and promote reflective practice in a cohort of undergraduate students.