Our 20x20 details a learning process that has successfully explored ePortfolio thinking for indigenous students in years 7-9 at a regional school in Victoria where a Koorie artist works with students to create original artworks. From their years of designing and implementing ePortfolio in higher education, both presenters understand benefit and impact of incorporating ePortfolio into a creative learning process to establish a sense of self, both cultural and future thinking for students. We outline the learning model that provides a framework around the creative act of art-making with a Koorie artist mentor, who imparts knowledge of cultural heritage, symbols and techniques whilst encouraging students to reflect on who they are, their families and backgrounds through purposeful questioning, engagement and local Aboriginal knowledge. This project aimed to investigate indigenous adolescent written reflective responses to self-discovery by utilising ePortfolio embedded in a creative arts curriculum learning model. At the conclusion of the second year we have seen a growth in confidence, energy for their future and community cultural competence in these young artists who may not have ever engaged with school, learning or future career thinking.

1. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
Exploring ePortfolio thinking: building energy and
resilience for youth in an indigenous art club
1
Associate Professor
Jennifer Rowley
University of Sydney
Dr Jennifer Munday
Charles Sturt University

2. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday

3. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
indigenous
students in years
7-9 at a regional
school in
Victoria
3

4. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
a Koorie artist
works with
students to create
original artworks
4

5. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
the creative act
of art-making
with a Koorie
artist mentor

6. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
the Koorie artist mentor imparts
knowledge of cultural heritage, symbols and techniques whilst encouraging
students to reflect on who they are, their families and backgrounds through
purposeful questioning, engagement and local Aboriginal knowledge

7. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
These are students who may not
have ever engaged with school,
learning or future career thinking…

8. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
The project
aimed to investigate indigenous adolescent written reflective responses to self-discovery

9. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
the learning
process
9

10. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
Student artworks in progress
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11. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday

12. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
At the conclusion of the second year we have
seen a growth in confidence;
energy for their future; and community
cultural competence in these young artists.

13. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
utilising ePortfolio
embedded in a
creative arts
curriculum learning
model

14. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
"Exploring" - the students prepare
evidence and reflections for
inclusion in their ePortfolio on
understanding who they are and
what they do.
The story behind the painting…
‘My journey through life’ by Talia Collingridge
- Year 8
This painting is about my journey
through life. It is about travelling
around and seeing new places
and having new experiences.
Even after my father passed
away I kept exploring new places
with my family. The large circles
show the places I have visited.
The small dots are my steps as I
explore these places.
Journeys on the Murray
Adam Sutcliffe - Unknown Tribe
This is my modern interpretation of
traditional Aboriginal people making
their journeys along the Murray
River. My painting represents my
journey with my family. It took me a
really long time to work out my
design. I’ve only recently found out
my great, great, great grandfather
was Aboriginal and it makes me
want to find out more about this part
of my heritage.
The story behind the painting…
‘Spirit Hills’ by Cobra Culling - Year 8
My painting is about sacred
Aboriginal country. I made my
leaf design first as a central
focus. The hills radiate from it. I
like the flat look of Aboriginal Art.

15. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
benefit and
impact of
incorporating
ePortfolio into a
creative learning
process
15

16. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
to establish a sense of
self, both cultural and
future
thinking for students

17. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
"Energising" -
creating
excitement in
their learning
about what’s
possible in the
future.
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18. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
“I got to really connect with the teachers, I
connected with the culture and I started to love
it. And I am so thankful that I actually went into
this art club.”
–Former art club member
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19. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
the learning model
that provides a
framework

20. Exploring ePortfolio thinking – Rowley & Munday
References:
Munday, J., Rowley, J., Polly, P. (2017). The Use of Visual Images in Building Professional Self
Identities. International Journal of ePortfolio, 7(1), 53-65.
Rowley, J. (2017). ePortfolios in Australian Universities. Singapore: Springer.
Rowley, J. & Munday, J, (2018). The evolved landscape of ePortfolios: Current values and
purposes of academic teachers and curriculum designers. Journal of Teaching and Learning
for Graduate Employability, 9(1), 2–21.
All images used with permission.
Contact details:
Associate Professor Jennifer Rowley:
Jennifer.Rowley@Sydney.edu.au
Dr Jennifer Munday:
jmunday@csu.edu.au