Abstract

Abstract Background: The developments in the field of education in recent years have had a profound impact on medical education as well as other fields of education. The reflections on how the on the job, applied activities of medical education are to be assessed draws special attention. Nowadays, an alternative measurement and assessment method to assess the student is the portfolio programs. Aims: The aim of this study is to present students’ opinions on the use of portfolio, which is developed as an alternative assessment tool that enables the students of Medical Documentation and Secretariat Program in the İzmir University of Economics Vocational School of Health Services to make visible their on the job studies at the hospital within the scope of Training in Clinical Education course. Study Design: Research is conducted with the use of a case study method. Data is gathered through by portfolio and semi-structured interviews with the students conducted after the program. Content analysis method is used to analyse the qualitative data. Results: It is found that portfolio assessment method presents more detailed information to the student and the faculty, that it encourages the student to learn and take responsibility in learning and that it increases student-faculty interaction. Students state that portfolio program contributes to their learning, that they could think over what they have learned retrospectively and that they have improved their writing skills. Conclusion: As a result of this study, it is suggested that portfolio assessment method could be used as an alternative tool of assessment in the field of vocational school of health services’ students education.

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