“Tell Me About Yourself” - Using eportfolio as a Tool to Integrate Learning and Position Students for Employment

Oct 15, 2026

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This paper explores how eportfolio supports the development, demonstration, and promotion of core competencies in a Professional Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Piloted in 2016, the MPH Competency eportfolio is described as a purposeful collection of electronic evidence showing learning and achievement over time. The eportfolio functions both as reflective learning and as a showcase for potential employers. Student questionnaires and focus groups identify key themes and highlight limitations in technology and employer engagement expectations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages18

Reading Time45 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study purpose and implementation

Data collection and findings themes

Implications for programs and courses

The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | Volume 9 | Issue 3 | Article 9 | | --- | --- | Winter 12-31-2018 “Tell Me About Yourself” -Using eportfolio as a Tool to Integrate Learning and Position Students for Employment, a Case from the Queen's University Master of Public Health Program Brenda Melles Queen's University, [brenda.melles@queensu.ca](brenda.melles@queensu.ca)[ ](brenda.melles@queensu.ca)Andrew B. Leger Queen's University, [al7@queensu.ca](al7@queensu.ca)[ ](al7@queensu.ca)Leigha Covell Queen's University, [leigha.covell@queensu.ca](leigha.covell@queensu.ca) Follow this and additional works at: [https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cjsotl_rcacea](https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cjsotl_rcacea) Part of the Public Health Commons Recommended Citation Melles, B., Leger, A. B., & Covell, L. (2018).“Tell Me About Yourself” -Using eportfolio as a Tool to Integrate Learning and Position Students for Employment, a Case from the Queen's University Master of Public Health Program. The Canadian Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning, 9 (3). Retrieved from [https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cjsotl_rcacea/vol9/iss3/9](https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/cjsotl_rcacea/vol9/iss3/9) “Tell Me About Yourself” -Using eportfolio as a Tool to Integrate Learning and Position Students for Employment, a Case from the Queen's University Master of Public Health Program Abstract This paper explores the use of eportfolio to develop, demonstrate and promote core competencies in a Professional Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Piloted in 2016, the MPH Competency eportfolio is described as a purposeful collection of electronic evidence that demonstrates learning and achievement in public health over time. The eportfolio was framed both as a reflective learning process and a showcase product to demonstrate skills and competencies to potential employers. The eportfolio was implemented using an available tool on Queen’s University’s Learning Management System. To understand the impact of the eportfolio, students responded to a questionnaire and participated in a focus group. Themes identified from the student responses were: 1. eportfolio helped students integrate and reflect on their learning and experience. 2. eportfolio helped students to position their professional identity and experience for employers. 3. Students were more convinced of the value of eportfolio as a reflection tool than as a showcase product for a professional setting. 4. Students were not convinced that employers will actually look at an eportfolio. 5. The technology used in this study was limiting for students. 6. Students were interested in using other established and more user-friendly platforms. The findings ofthis study will benefit any program or course of study seeking a means to help students integrate their learning and demonstrate their accomplishments, skills, and competencies. This paper addresses how to integrate eportfolio at the program level and also provides insight into the student experience of their use. Cet article explore l’emploi d’un eportfolio pour développer, démontrer et promouvoir les compétences debase offertes dans un programme de maîtrise professionnelle en santé publique à l’Université Queen’s, à Kingston, en Ontario, au Canada. Le programme pilote, un eportfolio des compétences pour la maîtrise en santé publique, a été lancé en 2016. On le décrit comme un recueil ciblé de preuves électroniques quidémontrent l’apprentissage et les réussites en santé publique au fil des ans. On dit également que le eportfolio est à la fois un processus d’apprentissage par la réflexion ainsi qu’un produit phare qui permet de démontrer les aptitudes et les compétences aux employeurs potentiels. Le eportfolio a été mis en oeuvre grâce aux outils disponibles dans le système de gestion de l’apprentissage de l’Université Queen’s. Afin de comprendre l’impact du eportfolio, les étudian

FAQs

What is the purpose of the eportfolio in the Queen’s University MPH program?

The eportfolio is used to develop, demonstrate, and promote core competencies through collected electronic evidence. It is framed as both reflective learning and a product to present skills to potential employers.

How were the eportfolio’s impact and student experiences evaluated?

Students completed a questionnaire and participated in a focus group. Their responses were analyzed to identify recurring themes about learning, identity, and perceived value.

What concerns did students express about the eportfolio in relation to employers?

Students were not convinced that employers would actually look at an eportfolio. They also reported that the technology used was limiting and expressed interest in more user-friendly platforms.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Fans