Chapter #11 Engaging Teachers and Students in Learning and Self-Reflection

Focus Question 2:   How can teachers and students use digital portfolios as tools for learning?

A student work for digital portfolio by Nicole

• A digital portfolio for a teacher is an indivually prepared collection of work that communicates who a teacher is and what that teacher knows and is able to do in academic subjects and classroom teaching.
• A standards-based digital portfolio serves as a way for new teacher candidates to connect lesson plans, teaching evaluations, and other work done in the classroom to the specific professional teaching standards they are required to meet in order to earn a teacher license.
• The advantages of digital portfolios include easy access, ready-made portability, creative information displays, experience in developing technology skills, and the sharing of information with educational community.
• The disadvantages of digital portfolios include the need for technical knowledge and skill, ongoing support, computer access, and time, as well as the possibility that style will override substance in the presentation of information.

There are three main types of e-portfolios, although they may be referred to using different terms:

• developmental (e.g., working),
• reflective (e.g., learning), and
• representational (e.g., showcase).

A developmental e-portfolio is a record of things that the owner has done over a period of time, and may be directly tied to learner outcomes or rubrics. A reflective e-portfolio includes personal reflection on the content and what it means for the owner's development. A representational e-portfolio shows the owner's achievements in relation to particular work or developmental goals and is, therefore, selective.


Tech Tool 11.1   EduTools

EduTools is a suite of free, easy-to-use Web-based tools that allow users to collect, analyze, and weigh information about a variety of e-learning products, services, and policies. EduTools’ approach is to help the higher education community make well-informed decisions in three primary areas: course management systems; student services; and e-learning policies.


Conclusion

An e-portfolio or digital portfolio, is a collection of electronic evidence assembled and managed by a user, usually on the Web. Such electronic evidence may include inputted text, electronic files, images, multimedia, blog entries, and hyperlink. E-portfolios are both demonstrations of the user's abilities and platforms for self-expression, and, if they are online, they can be maintained dynamically over time. Some e-portfolio applications permit varying degrees of audience access, so the same portfolio might be used for multiple purposes. I will be share with my co-worker about the digital portfolio.  When our class started; we introduce our self with a letter to a parents.  With tools that are free and easy to use web based we will able to inform and introduce information to the parents about our center or our services to them.


Resources


Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming teaching with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon