A study of developing reflective practices for preservice teachers through a web-based electronic teaching portfolio and video-on-demand assessment program

Web-based electronic teaching portfolios and videoclipped teaching episodes using by video-on-demand (VOD) system can serve as devices for reflective inquiry and self-assessment by preservice teachers during the student teaching semester. Carefully structured procedures in a web-based electronic teaching portfolio and VOD assessment program can assist preservice teachers in developing the pedagogical knowledge and skills necessary to effectively plan, implement, evaluate, and manage instruction. Adequate orientation and training in the program will enable preservice teachers to engage in the reflective processes of observing, analyzing, and evaluating their teaching performance. Carefully designed procedures can result in the videoclipped teaching episodes being utilized as effective tools for the improvement of instruction rather than simply a souvenir or memento from the student teaching semester. This paper presents the web-based electronic teaching portfolio and VOD assessment program employed in the Center for Educational Research and Practice of Shiga University in Japan. The program has been a valuable tool for helping education majors make the transition from student to teacher.