Investigation of the application level of a computer based portfolios

SUMMARY Investigation of the Application Level of a Computer Based Portfolio This study aimed to examine the application level of a computer-based portfolio (CBP) developed as an alternative assessment tool and can be used in an electronic context in the Turkish educational system. Pilot studies of the portfolio developed for mathematics courses took two weeks. Then, two mathematics teachers from two primary schools implemented it to a group of seventh level students in the first term of 2002-2003 academic year. Case study method was used in this study. Data gathered by the help of interviews conducted with teachers', and interviews and questionnaires conducted with the sample students, and also questionnaires done with the parents of the students. Qualitative data examined under three groups as; similar to each other, contradictory and independent and some of them was directly presented with the sample's own sentences. Quantitative data was statistically analyzed as taking its % value and presented in tables and in this way, interpreted around the research's problem. Reflections of the implementation of portfolio assessment approach were discussed under the light of student, teacher and parents views. Data showed that CBP assessment can support to inform students' parents and themselves about learning process, encourage planning teaching and students' self-assessment, and also increase interaction among teachers, students and parents. However, issues come from teachers, students, parents and technical structure of the software showed that it was not implemented as an expected level. It was concluded that teachers can use computer-based portfolio software as an alternative assessment tool if took an in service education training about it and also use of software is improved. Also, based on all the results of this project, the researcher developed a more practical software and its instruction guide, and it is believed that this can contribute to the educational literature area. Key Words: Mathematics Education, Measurement and Assessment, Portfolios vm