ED7730 ePortfolio Map

This week we were required to outline or mindmap the contents we planned to use in creating our ePortfolios. I used Coggle as my on-line tool for mapping. Although the map is at the beginning stages and will need to be tweaked as I move along in the process, I feel that this map will be very beneficial. I did have some thoughts and questions on where I should place my blog, so at tonight Face-2-Face I will ask for input from my classmates.

Or for a closer look at my ePortfolio map please visit the following link: Elizabeth Hick's ePortfolio Map.

EDUC 7730 Thoughts on my own ePortfolio

After learning more about eportfolios and what they entail I realized that I should consider a number 

of factors when making my own. The first would be: who is my intended audience ?  Then, what work do I want to showcase ? Lastly, how should I design or set-up the artifacts that will be included in the ePortfolio.  In my portfolio  I would like to show: the work that I have done in my IT&DML program, the work I have done in school that is related to technology & other STEM content areas, and possibly have it serve as a marketing vehicle for future employment using what skills and knowledge I have learned. I also want it to look aesthetically pleasing, makes sense, and include the appropriate and related artifacts and reflections.

I did like the way Integrative Knowledge Portfolio makes suggestions for ePortfolios (see below). I plan to use and or modify some of these to meet my ePortfolio goals and message.

What does a completed Integrative Knowledge Portfolio  look like?

A completed Integrative Knowledge Portfolio has the following sections and pages:

A Work Showcase – highlights a series of Knowledge Synthesis pages that illustrate how a

student weaves together the knowledge, skills and insights gained from key learning

experiences in life. Each experience is organized into a larger knowledge/skill category which

serves as the table of contents for the Work Showcase.

A Philosophy Statement page - demonstrates a student’s ability to retrieve and articulate the

specific values, commitments, capacities and sources of inspiration that underlie his/her work

A Goals page - illustrates a student’s ability to imagine and articulate an overarching sense of

direction or purpose for work and life as a result of participation in the IKPP.

A Welcome page - demonstrates a student’s ability to capture a readers’ interest and succinctly

introduce his/her portfolio

A Resume page - shows that the student is capable of presenting their experiences in a traditional format.

I also liked their list of essential questions and the outcome or what students learn from the process Integrative Portfolio Process (MPortfolio - University of Michigan) These questions and outcomes help guide students through the process of creating and curating their personal ePortfolio.

The Integrative Knowledge Portfolio Process encourages students to ask questions essential for leadership and lifelong learning:

• Who am I becoming?
• What am I learning?
• What knowledge, skills and strengths am I developing?
• What can I do?
• How will I make a difference?

The portfolio process helps students approach problems strategically and collaboratively. Students learn to:

• Connect knowledge gained from real-life experiences and from academic courses
• Reflect on learning that has occurred both within and beyond the classroom
• Develop the knowledge, skills and awareness needed for professional competence and leadership
• Connect learning with personal values, a sense of purpose and goals for the future

Tonight in class, after I collaborate with my classmates, I believe I will have an even better perspective on ePortfolios and what I would like to include in my own.  

ED 7730 E-Portfolios Part I: Fundamental Elements

As a kickoff assignment to our last few weeks in IT & Digital Media Literacy we were required to research and read about electronic portfolios or more commonly known as ePortfolios. This assignment serves as a preparation for one of our final projects in this 6th year program. So during the past few days I have read a number of articles pertaining to eportfolios; what they are, who uses them, and how they are used, especially within the educational setting.

It is my understanding that an eportfolio is a digital compilation of someone’s work that is either produced or collected. This can include demonstrations, resources, and accomplishments which represent an individual, group, community, organization or institution. Basically an eportfolio showcases quality work, it paints a picture of growth over time, and presents accomplishments based on evidence.  You can think of the collection of work, more commonly known as “artifacts”, as the “building blocks” of one’s portfolio. These building blocks can and should include Word Documents, PDFs, Powerpoints, images, and even short video or audio clips. There should also be what is called a Reflection piece of the work in the portfolio and this serves as one of the most important aspects of the collection. The Reflection allows for analysis of the experiences incurred during the learning.  But more than that, it is a reflection of the thinking that is going on. In addition, Reflections also connect the pieces of the portfolio.

When most people hear the word portfolio, they most likely think of an artists collection of work. So who else uses eportfolios ? Electronic Portfolio’s serve as a personalized profile of achievement for students - at all levels (elementary through postsecondary) in any subject, for faculty, as well as employee’s.

And how do these groups of people use eportfolios? Students can use it as a location to document and display their learning.  Faculty can use it to as "an organized collection of complex, performance-based evidence that indicates one's growth, goals, and current knowledge and skills needed to be competent in a role or area of expertise" (p.151, cited in Heath & Cockerham, 2001,). employees can use eportfolios to demonstrate skills and competence in areas related to their field of work or expertise.

I found that there are a variety of websites/locations such as google sites, cloroflot, behance network, and carbonmade to name only a few that offer free portfolio services.  Through all of this initial reading and learning about electronic portfolios I am excited to begin the journey of creating my own.