THE VIEWS OF STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ON THE USE OF PORTFOLIOS AS A LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT-TOOL IN MIDWIFERY EDUCATION

As the introduction of devolved continuous assessment in midwifery edu cation has led to the introduction of new and varied learning and asse ssment strategies, there is a need to evaluate their use. The focus of this study is on the views of students and teachers and on portfolios as a learning and assessment tool in midwifery education. In a small exploratory study questionnaires were used to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data from 24 student midwives. Eight tutors were also interviewed. Data was analysed using an adapted version of grounded t heory. Many students had negative feelings about the use of portfolios . In particular problems related to lack of motivation, uncertainty ab out what was expected of them, difficulty in expressing personal thoug hts and feelings and the subsequent anxiety that this created. Tutors showed some awareness of the relative merits associated with the use o f portfolios for learning and assessment. Although some of the student s problems in keeping the portfolio were appreciated by the tutors, th e students perceived there were few attempts made to rectify or minimi se these difficulties.