Mutual feedback in e‐portfolio assessment: an approach to the netfolio system

This paper presents an alternative application of e‐portfolio in a university student assessment context. A concept based on student collaboration (called netfolio) is developed, that differs from the classical e‐portfolio concept. The use of a netfolio, a network of student e‐portfolios, in a virtual classroom is explained through an exploratory study. A netfolio is more than a group of e‐portfolios because it offers students a better understanding of learning objectives and promotes self‐revision through participation in assessment of other students' learning, as indicated through their portfolios. Class student e‐portfolios are interconnected in a unique netfolio such that each student assesses their peers' work and at the same time is being assessed. This process creates a chain of co‐evaluators, facilitating a mutual and progressive improvement process. Results about teachers' and students' mutual feedback are presented and the benefits of the process in terms of academic achievements are analysed.