“With a little help from my e-portfolio; supporting students’ self directed learning in senior vocational education”

Keywords: Self-directed learning, electronic portfolios

Senior vocational education students are increasingly expected to direct their own learning. This, however, is not easy. These students need help developing the skills necessary for self-directed learning. An electronic portfolio may prove beneficial, assuming that students receive sufficient coaching. This study found that some of the teacher-coaching can be replaced with self-coaching while retaining the positive effects on the development of self-direction and motivation. It is, however, essential that students are given the room to make their own choices while receiving sufficient guidance.