An Evaluation of an Integrated e-Portfolio Model: The Case of Bahrain Teachers´ College

An important practice implemented since 2008 at the only teachers´ college in the Kingdom of Bahrain-the Bahrain Teachers´ College (BTC)- is e-portfolio assessment. Despite serious efforts to ensure effective implementation of e-portfolio assessment at BTC since its launching, there continued to be over the years several challenges and obstacles, mainly in the form of faculty and students´ confusion, that needed to be overcome. This paper, as a result, highlights some of these challenges, it also investigates, through the analysis of a multiplicity of data sources, the impact of an integrated e-portfolio model (IEM), which was originally introduced at BTC in 2012, to help ensure a more successful and effective e-portfolio experience. This investigation is taken even further in the form of an evaluation of IEM on the basis of the well-informed 4 E-Model of Collis & Moonen. The results of the IEM overall evaluation indicated some improvement mainly in the form of stronger awareness and a more accepting culture of e-portfolios, still, however, they also pointed to continuing flaws in e-portfolio implementation and to a need for more focused training of stakeholders.