If you are considering a portfolio type assessment for your module this information regarding the use of e-portfolio tools will help you to decide on the best tool and workflow for your assessment.
- What is an e-portfolio?
- Which e-portfolio product should I select?
- E-portfolio tools comparison table
What is an e-portfolio?
An e-portfolio is a digital presentation of student learning experiences and/or evidence of learning achievements, across a single or multiple modules, projects or an entire programme.
The digital presentation of student learning experiences and achievements may include:
- Written or audio-recorded reflections
- Evidence of attainment, such as checklists or practitioner signatures
- Images of completed work or work-in-progress
- Videos and other multimedia
Unlike a paper portfolio, the use of an e-portfolio requires reliance on underlying tools or systems to provide certain types of access, sorting, review, and export of the digital content. Additionally, different assessment contexts, subject disciplines and/or employer requirements may negate different approaches to the use of various technology options, to ensure students, administrators, assessors and/or employers have the necessary flexibility to manage content according to their needs. For example, the method of collation, curation, giving and receiving of feedback may dictate the technology selection.
Which e-portfolio product should I select?
There are several tools that can be used as e-portfolios; these have common capabilities. Before committing to the use of an e-portfolio product for teaching and learning, it is recommended to speak with a member of the TEL team (via dts@reading.ac.uk) for an initial consultation that includes a functional introduction and pedagogic guidance.
e-portfolio tool support
The tools in Blackboard, which could be used for e-portfolios are Blackboard Portfolio and Blackboard Journal. For these tools CQSD TEL will be able to provide pedagogical and functional instruction. There are guides on the individual tools and CQSD TEL advisors would be able for 1-2-1 support on choosing the correct tool for the assignment, working out the workflow and what needs to be set up and how in Blackboard. DTS tickets on these tools will be passed to the CQSD TEL team.
- Blackboard Portfolio (raise a ticket with CQSD TEL via DTS@reading.ac.uk)
- Guide: Blackboard Journal
The Microsoft tools, which could be used for are e-portfolios are OneNote, Class Notebook, Office 365 documents and Word document used as a offline template. For these tools CQSD TEL can offer initial consultation regarding pedagogical advice and limited functional instruction. DTS will be able to provide technical instruction for these tools.
- OneNote – OneNote guidance available from Microsoft Office support online or search UoR LinkedIn Learning.
- Class Notebook (limited support, some features not available at UoR) see DTS information regarding Class Notebook.
- Office 365 – O365 guidance available from Microsoft Office support online or search UoR LinkedIn Learning.
Possible e-portfolio tools
| Requirement | Blackboard Portfolio | Blackboard Journals | OneNote | Class Notebook | Office 365 docs | Office Word template |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template | Yes Create/update by Blackboard system admin only | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lock changes | No Portfolio is owned by the user. If submitted to a Portfolio assignment, a snapshot is shared – so subsequent changes are not visible to markers. | Yes Can remove access to journal tool, or disable students’ ability to edit after specified date | No | Yes | Yes Can revoke share access or can take a copy when submitted to Blackboard or Turnitin | Yes Once submitted to Blackboard or Turnitin |
| Student copy download | Yes As zipped HTML | No | No Can export to personal OneDrive accounts | No Can export to personal OneDrive accounts | Yes | N/A |
| Staff copy download | Yes If shared, or submitted to a Portfolio assignment | No | No Can be shared with other 365 accounts | No Can be shared with other 365 accounts | Yes | N/A |
| Real-time updates for staff | No Students have to share new snapshot each time they want a staff member to view changes. | Yes | Yes Student must one-time “share” with staff | Yes | Yes | No Student would need to submit their copy for staff to view snapshot of progress |
| Real-time update for staff – alerts | No | Yes Can set stream notifications to alert journal activity. | No | Yes | When uploaded to Blackboard or Turnitin staff can be notified of new markable items or missed deadline (if set Gradebook alert). | When uploaded to Blackboard or Turnitin staff can be notified of new markable items or missed deadline (if set Gradebook alert). |
| Students share with external users | Yes As zipped HTML | No | No External user will be prompted to register a MS account to access content. the OneNote owner will be email notified when external user has successfully accessed content. | No External user will be prompted to register a MS account to access content. The Class Notebook owner will be emailed notification when external user has successfully accessed content. | No External user will be prompted to register a MS account to access content. The document owner will be emailed notification when external user has successfully accessed content. | Yes |
| Tagging content | No | No | No | Yes | Yes Use comment feature and @mentions | Yes Use comment feature |
| Integrates with rubric (Bb/Turnitin) | Yes Via a Blackboard Assignment | Yes Set Journal as gradable | No | No | Yes When submitted to Blackboard or Turnitin | Yes When submitted to Blackboard or Turnitin |
| Integrates with Gradebook | Yes via a Blackboard Assignment | Yes Set Journal as gradable | No | No | Yes When submitted to Blackboard or Turnitin | Yes When submitted to Blackboard or Turnitin |
| Students can retain access after leaving the university | No | No | Student can export to a personal OneDrive account | Student can export to a personal OneDrive account | Students can bulk download files from 365 or share to a personal OneDrive account | Yes |
| Staff can retain access after students have left university | Yes If student submits to an assignment, or shares snapshot before they leave | Yes | Yes If shared with staff | Yes | Yes If shared with staff and/or submitted to Blackboard or Turnitin | Yes When submitted to Blackboard or Turnitin |
Guide last updated on May 7, 2026