Abstract

The design, development and formative evaluation of an Electronic Portfolio Template System for Cycle 1 students in the Quebec Education System is described. The prototype is a web-based, database-driven process and showcase portfolio container that facilitates portfolio development. This system contains administrator, teacher and student environments. Each of these environments, along with the installation, set-up and documentation process was evaluated. In all, twenty-six participants evaluated the various environments and processes. Results of all evaluations are presented. The student environment received the most feedback with strengths reported relating to interface design, usability, learnability and aesthetics and weaknesses reported relating to suitability and navigation. Interface design, learnability and aesthetics were reported as strengths while marginal navigation weaknesses were reported in the teacher and administrator environments. Evaluative comments, recommendations for improvement and suggestions for further research are presented.