Investigating UAE pre-service teachers' perceptions and validation of use of electronic portfolios

Abstract

Research has indicated a great need to evaluate the experiences related to creating an electronic portfolio to contribute to the overall teaching excellence. Researchers (instructors) of the present study used an exit electronic portfolio, a related survey, and follow up interviews to describe use of electronic portfolios with teacher education graduates in their final capstone experience at a major UAE national university. There is not any such research study conducted in the UAE, and few studies are conducted, in the topic, internationally. This study described the process of developing an electronic portfolio and examined its validity and participants' perceptions to assess teaching performance in the UAE. Electronic portfolios and surveys of 67 pre-service teachers were included in the analysis and findings. A survey was developed by the authors to examine common perceptions. Analysis of quantitative and qualitative data was presented. A major result indicated that use of electronic portfolio is considered a pragmatic vehicle to assess pre-service teachers' performance and evaluate teacher education programs.