Designing and Validating an e-Portfolio Tool for Tracking Teacher Competencies and Development throughout a Career According to EU Principles

Abstract

A policy describes and advocates an ePortfolio career-tracking system for European Union educators in order to strengthen professionalism and raise standards of teaching and learning. It argues for a need to include non-formal and informal evidence, as well as formal qualifications, in order to provide a more complete picture of an educator’s knowledge and competence. Professional principles rather than arbitrary standards are suggested as being more enduring and meaningful in transnational contexts as the criteria for selecting appropriate evidence. These are defined for the beginning, middle and specialist stages of a career. The policy and ePortfolio tool were developed in the context of the PEEP project. This paper presents the methodology for designing the ePortfolio tool, as well as results from pilots taking place in Greece. Recommendations are made from stakeholders feedback regarding the development of the ePortfolio career record. It is suggested that this tool becomes a mandatory recording system of continual professional development for EU educators in order to assist and confirm professional status and provide a useful passport for mobility.