Monash University's success with community-focused education

Dr Zala Volcic, Director of Research, School of Media, Film and Journalism, Monash University, began integrating ePortfolios with the launch of the degree in 2018 to help students track their progress, showcase their work, and develop a sense of belonging within the academic and professional communities with which they engage. She collaborated with educational designers like Dr Ingrid D'Souza and Carmen Sapsed across the three-year programme to find meaningful ways to add portfolio activities.

Portfolios needed to:

• Balance theory and practice: One of the primary challenges was ensuring that students could see the connection between theoretical knowledge and practical skills.
• Scale with large cohorts: With around 400 students in first-year units, implementing ePortfolios at that scale required careful planning and collaboration with educational designers.
• Encourage student engagement and reflection: Support students to take ownership of their learning journey and reflect on their growth.
        

Dr Zala Volcic successfully integrated ePortfolios into the BMC programme. This initiative, in collaboration with Monash University’s educational designers, has helped students bridge theory with practical skills, showcase their professional growth, and engage deeply with their work. Additionally, ePortfolios have helped create a community-focused learning environment that empowers students to take ownership of their learning and prepare for their professional futures. Since rolling out ePortfolios, there have been: 

• Enhanced student engagement: ePortfolios have significantly improved student engagement, with students taking pride in their work and striving to produce high-quality, creative outputs.
• Stronger industry connections: Industry leaders praise the ePortfolios the students create for showcasing their skills and reflective practice, making it easier to assess their potential for internships and jobs.
• Academic and personal growth: Students can clearly see how they’ve grown intellectually and professionally over the three years that they are studying in the BMC. The ePortfolio provides a tangible record of their achievements, skills, and personal development.

Monash University’s Bachelor of Media Communication has successfully integrated ePortfolios to create a holistic learning experience that bridges theory with practice, encourages reflection, and strengthens industry connections. This initiative, led by Dr Zala Volcic and supported by educational designers, has helped create a community-focused learning environment that empowers students to take ownership of their learning and prepare for their professional futures.