Cooperative learning and electronic group portfolio: tutoring tools, development of competences and assessment

Abstract

This work analyses the use of cooperative learning in conjunction with an electronic group portfolio in university education. When working in cooperative groups, students are required to be aware of the changes that take place throughout the learning process and to reflect on the benefits or drawbacks of different approaches to learning. The use of an electronic group portfolio could enhance the learning process as it enables the development of tutorial action, generic and specific competences and assessment. The effectiveness of this learning methodology has been evaluated by means of critical incident questionnaires, surveys and by analysing the final grades obtained by the students. The results obtained show that the use of the electronic group portfolio in a cooperative learning environment has allowed the development of competences which would have been difficult to achieve following the traditional lecture system and assessment in a final examination.