Abstract
Portfolios play a key and important role in learning. It refers to a purposeful collection of learner’s attempts and progression in one or some fields. The present study aims at studying the features of portfolio and its usability in Medical Education in Iran.
This is a review study comprising of explanations regarding portfolio searched through portfolio keywords in relevant databases.
As indicated by the results of the study, portfolio enjoys different kinds with different applicability. As indicated by the results of studies carried in Medical Education field in Iran, portfolios have mostly been used in nursing studies, especially in training and internship courses. It is indicated that portfolio application has led to the increase of students’ satisfaction, their motivation in learning contribution, using books and other scientific sources, presenting diagnostic and treatment solutions, making relationship between theoretical and clinical learnt materials, developing re-thinking skills, more real assessment based on written evidence, effective learning in clinical environments, meeting students’ expectation from clinical environments and improving the clinical competency of nurses.
It is suggested that portfolio-based learning as an assessment and educational strategy be used in all fields of medical education. Using e-portfolio (electronic portfolio) in virtual education as a modern approach toward evaluation is also recommended.