Objectives: Participants will....

Identify by posting your thoughts on the discussion tab benefits of ePortfolios through readings, videos and reflection.

Time you can expect to spend on this unit, 45 minutes.

How do you know when you have learned something new?

How do you feel when you know you have successfully accomplished something? We all feel good about our accomplishments. We have a sense of pride when we know we have done a good job. A good grade on a test, solving a difficult math problem, or scoring the winning goal all make us feel good. How do we feel when we are struggling to learn something? How do we know if we learned anything when we get a bad grade on a test, or can't solve a math problem without support. A portfolio is a means to help you understand what you have learned, highlight your accomplishments, and to show the progress you are making. A portfolio is a personal learning story. It shows how hard you try, how much you improve, and what you can accomplish.

A portfolio is meant to be reflective. It allows the student to see what they have learned. It produces more than just test grades. It showcases strengths and reflects on progress.

Lets look at some of the benefits of an ePortfolio:

They will discover a valuable exercise in self assessment through the reflection process
Learning will take on a new depth through the reflection process
Their self esteem and self-confidence will be enhanced as they take control of their learning.
They may develop their own goals for their learning.
Assessment of their learning may become more student centered; the learner is involved and authorized to make decisions about what will be evaluated.
They will receive more recognition for individual learning abilities and preferences.
They will learn and begin to practice a process that will be used in life long and life wide learning pursuit

Dr. Helen Barrett: What, Why, How

Dr. Barrett is the foremost expert on ePortfolios. In this video Dr. Barrett discusses what an ePortfolio is, why teachers would be inclined to use them, and how to implement them in your classroom. The video is 25 minutes long and is accompanied by slides. You can listen to the lecture while doing something active (this is how I like to listen) or sit back and relax. Either way the entire video is filled with great information!

You can read about Dr. Barrett here http://electronicportfolios.org/bio.html

Dr. Barrett's Video http://vimeo.com/23513397

Now do a little reflecting of your own.

Why are you interested in implementing ePortfolios in your classroom? List some ways your students will benefit from creating an ePortfolio. Please post your thoughts on the discussion page. I would enjoy reading your ideas! Thank you.

When you are ready you may continue on to Unit 2: What are some options for organizing an ePortfolio?

Back to the beginning Creating a Digital Archive: ePortfolio's for Elementary Student's Mini-course