| An educational ePortfolio usually contains work that a student has collected, reflected on, constructed, and published to demonstrate personal learning and growth over time. Traditional ePortfolio systems are limited by the scope of a project, course, or organization, and compatible technologies. Studies (Barrett, 2005; Jafari, 2004; McGrath, 2005; Zubizaretta, 2004) have shown that traditional ePortfolio and e-learning systems lack options of peer review, group collaboration, and community learning, while faculty, students, and online educational communities today are calling for more community-wide interaction and collaboration (Jafari, McGee, and Carmean, 2006). Although some of the recent systems have made efforts to meet such needs, they often lack effectiveness and efficiency due to design problems. Meanwhile, emerging Web 2.0 technologies such as blogs, wikis, and podcasts can benefit classroom research, writing, and learning (Barrett, 2005; Richardson, 2006).; In this study, I reviewed the literature in ePortfolio systems and Web2.0 technologies, discussed design problems in practices, and then developed an Information Systems Design Theory (ISDT) for the next-generation ePortfolio systems guided by the design theories, practices, and a design research methodology by Walls et al. (1992). Following this ISDT, I developed KEEP Social Learning Suite (SLS) based on an open-source Carnegie-funded ePortfolio project. New social learning features implemented in KEEP SLS include: search, browse, annotation, blog connection, and group collaboration. I conducted usability tests and refined the system accordingly. Finally, I evaluated KEEP SLS by surveying volunteer subjects who had used KEEP SLS within the period of one month. The results show significant improvement in the users' perceived value of the new system in terms of usefulness as a tool, effectiveness in achieving users' goals, knowledge, learning, and social effects. The results also reveal that the perceived value of the system are positively related to SLS participation and perceived ease of use. |
