Teachers’ experiences with a mandatory multi-purpose teaching portfolio: a mixed methods study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Little is known about the use of multipurpose teaching portfolios. In this study we examined teachers’ general perceptions of a mandatory and publicly available multipurpose teaching portfolio at a research-intensive university with a survey design and a mixed-method approach. Responses from a representative sample of 384 teachers from the intended university population (N=1,160) on 20 survey items were analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. The portfolio was found to only support its intended developmental purpose to a minor extent. The perceived value of the portfolio was influenced by how teaching was perceived to be valued by leadership in the context. The evidence from this study is relevant for academic developers advising institutional or governmental quality policy makers on the use of teaching portfolios.