In an educational landscape forever transformed by the pandemic, an innovative study of the Universidad Austral It is paving the way for a revolutionary change in higher education practices. Led by the Researchers Belén Pagone, Cecilia Primogerio and María Sol Dias Lourenco from the Faculty of Business Sciences from the Pilar Campus headquarters of the Universidad AustralThe study shows the transformative power of portfolio assessment in an introductory Economics course.
The pandemic forced educators worldwide to reconsider traditional teaching and assessment methods, driving the need for innovative, student-centered approaches. This study responds to that call, demonstrating that the portfolio method is not just a temporary solution, but a lasting one for deeply engaging students and improving their understanding and application of complex economic concepts.
“The portfolio approach marks a departure from conventional exams, focusing instead on a formative, reflective, and personalized assessment method. Students are tasked with creating a portfolio that documents their learning journey, demonstrating their ability to analyze, connect, and apply economic theories to real-life scenarios. This method not only assesses what students have learned, but also how they have learned it, offering a window into their cognitive processes and fostering metacognitive reflection on their own learning,” he explains. Belén Pagone.
Significantly, the study found that the portfolio approach leads to a deeper and more integrated understanding of economics. Students reported a greater ability to express complex ideas, increased motivation to apply concepts to real-world situations, and an improved capacity for reflective learning. “These results reflect the paradigm shift in educational assessment, emphasizing the development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills over rote memorization,” Pagone adds.
Furthermore, the researchers emphasize the adaptability of the portfolio method to both virtual and face-to-face learning environments, highlighting its relevance in a post-pandemic world where hybrid learning models are becoming the norm. This flexibility ensures that the benefits of the portfolio approach can be realized in diverse educational contexts, making it a valuable tool for international business education.
The implications of this study extend beyond the classroom, suggesting a reevaluation of assessment practices across all disciplines in higher education. By fostering a learning environment where students are active participants in their educational journey, the portfolio method enables them to develop the essential competencies needed to meet the challenges of the 21st-century global business environment.
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of work and activities that a student completes throughout a course. It demonstrates the student's progress, their analytical and synthesis skills, and their ability to apply the knowledge they have acquired.
How was a portfolio implemented?
The study was conducted between the second half of 2021 and the second half of 2022. Economics students were required to create a digital portfolio that included:
The results of the study were conclusive:
What did the students think?
To gain a broader perspective, a questionnaire was designed and distributed among the participants: 61 students responded voluntarily and anonymously, representing approximately two regular course sections.
The students' opinions were overwhelming. 95% considered the portfolio useful or very useful for their learning. A high percentage highlighted that it helped them better understand the course objectives, integrate macroeconomic and microeconomic concepts, and develop communication skills.
“Unlike traditional exams, which focus on a few topics and are conducted under pressure, the portfolio allowed us to demonstrate what we had learned in depth,” explains one student. “Furthermore, it encourages reflection and self-assessment, crucial aspects for independent learning.”
Another emphasizes: "I feel that the portfolio prepares us for professional life, where we must present evidence of our work and reflect on the process."
The research concluded that the use of portfolios represents a transformative opportunity in educational assessment. It not only allowed teachers to gain a more comprehensive view of their students' learning, but also empowered students as active participants in their own learning process.
This study opens the door to a teaching method where learning and assessment come together to create a richer and more meaningful educational experience.
What other academic institutions have applied this evaluation method?
The great added value of this work is that this evaluation method is novel in Economics and Business. There are other international precedents that served as inspiration for the researchers at the Faculty of Business Sciences, but these are primarily in other disciplines such as medicine and teacher training programs.
This innovation was implemented during the pandemic as part of other pedagogical practices incorporated into the subject: TATETI (a game similar to tag), 360-degree assessments, project-based learning, collaborative work between faculties at the national level and between universities internationally, etc. Before the pandemic ended, the professors launched the final assessment using a portfolio of evidence, and given the excellent results obtained in student learning and experience, they continued using it upon returning to in-person classes. “The portfolio was the final stage in a series of pedagogical innovations that we incorporated into the classroom, driven by the pandemic, and which have allowed for deeper and more experiential learning, even after returning to in-person classes,” Pagone concludes.
