Forawi, Almekhalfi, and Al-Mekhalfi (2012) studied the importance and the effect of the E-portfolio on the excellence of learning and teaching in United Arab Emirates (UAE). They described the process of developing the E-portfolio and examined its' validity in addition to examine the participants' perceptions of their performance of developing and using the E-portfolio.  The mixed methodology design was followed in which the researchers developed a questionnaire to examine the perceptions of (67) pre-service teachers. In addition to the open-ended questions' responses and the E-portfolio were analyzed using the qualitative narrative analysis. 

 

This study was the first study in UAE to examine this issue and highlighted the importance of enhancing the pre-service teachers' skills of using innovative technology in the learning and teaching. 

The statistical data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, the results indicated a positive relationship between the hours spent using the computer, the capstone grade and the GPA with their years of experience of using computer and E-portfolio development. while the perceptions of the students were analyzed by descriptive statistics which indicated positive perceptions with a range of 3.119-4.761. 

The qualitative data were analyzed by reviewing five of the E-Portfolios developed by the participants which indicated nine themes of preparing students for future teaching role, increase knowledge, increase technology skills, learning tool, standards, improve reality anticipation, self-evaluation & organization, a way to revise previous work, and admiring students' progress. 

While the open-ended survey responses and the interview results indicated thirteen themes, improve creative thinking, cost saving, overcoming shortcomings, improve technology skills and computer programs, flexibility, self-evaluation & organization, and assessing their progress...etc.

 

Having an evidence about the students' perceptions and experiences of developing their E-Portfolio can contribute to the reflections and teaching skills is highly needed as proven by the previous publish research and confirmed by this study in a new context like UAE. 

 

From my own experience through creating my E-Portfolio I do agree with the degree of linking the skills of technology to the teacher's ability to follow the new century skills, the opportunity provided to the student to evaluate her/his progress and with flexible options available to accomplish this assignment. The technology is continuously changing which enhance the easy way to access all the needed information. Teaching the Ipad students successfully, the teachers need to improve their skills of browsing, internet, computer, programming and smart boards, simulators and  ....etc