The effect of e-portfolio process on learners? performance and attitudes in the process of computer literacy skill acquisition

The main purpose of this study is to determine the effect of e-portfolio process on learners? performance and attitudes in the process of computer literacy skill acquisition. In this study, it is foreseen that e-portfolio assessment and evaluation instrument will contribute to students? learning process by determining whether it is an alternative instrument to traditional assessment and evaluation instrument instruments in evaluating student performance more comprehensively and individually.The study was carried out with the help of freshmen students who were enrolled to Erzincan University Faculty of Education Primary Teacher Training Department and taking the course Computer I in the academic year 2008- 2009. Two of three classes which were chosen randomly in three first classes of the department were divided in to control and experimental groups. The research was carried out with 35 experimental group and 34 control group students.In the study, both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used, and students? theoretic and application skills in determined topics within the context of computer literacy were measured in order to present students? performances. In addition, students? self-assessments were used in the study. However, attitude scales related to e-portfolio and interview records taken from electronic platform were used to show students? attitudes. Post and pre-tests, quantitative research methods, were applied to control and experimental groups in both before and after the experiment and at the same atmosphere, and then achievement tests, self-assessment forms and attitude scale related to e-portfolio process were used in controlled group design. Besides, application exam control list was used as a post-test. After the study, student interviews were evaluated as a qualitative data. In analysing process of quantitative data, independent groups t-test and Mann Whitney U test analyses were used. Also in the process of analysing qualitative data, content analysis method was used.At the end of the study, it was found that while e-portfolio usage in computer literacy instruction did not affect students? theoretic knowledge levels, it became effective in the development of application skills and affected students? self-assessment forms positively. In addition to these, it was found that students involved in e-portfolio process were developed positive attitudes towards the process. In the interviews related to e-portfolio process, students stated positive thoughts and said that the process made them search, helped them to gain responsibility sense, contributed them to be organized and arranged students. By considering the gained data, suggestions about the application of e-portfolio process were given in this study.Key Words: Computer Literacy, Electronic Portfolio, Self Assessment