When I began my teaching career 16 years ago I was encouraged to keep examples of student work, professional development certificates, observations and reflections on lessons in a binder as a portfolio. I still have this binder…somewhere. I remember taking it to interviews and watching the principal quickly glance through it but never looking at it in detail. I often thought what was the point if he or she doesn’t care to look at it. At that point I stopped keeping up with it and it began to collect dust. I run across it from time to time and pull it out for nostalgia purposes and look back at my first few years of teaching.
When I was beginning my ePortfoilo I wondered if this too would happen and my ePortfolio would begin to collect dust after I completed my Master’s degree. However, I have realized how an ePortfolio can be much more interactive and esthetically pleasing to other educators, principals and myself. I have begun to think of ways to make better use of my ePortfolio so that it does not fall by the wayside. I want to connect more of my PLNs (Professional Learning Networks) and what I learn from them onto my ePortfolio, as well as reflect upon my learning through professional development and my graduate courses. I have also decided to use my ePortfolio as a way to track my growth towards my T-TESS goals during the school year. I feel that this will come in handy at the end of year conference with my administrator. I feel that as educators we often forget all the good things we do throughout the year and using the ePortfolio as a reflective tool will help highlight what is happening in the classroom. I have come to realize that the ePortfolio is for myself to reflect upon my growth, and to collaborate on sound educational practices with others. I can see the benefits for using ePortfolios for high school and undergraduate students to show their understanding of their learning and possibly build collaboration too. It can also help students understand that what they put out on the Internet is always there and they need to be conscious of the perception they put out there. I see the benefits of ePortfoilos for educators as well as students, however there are concerns that once the classes or assignments are over that the portfolios will be lost in the “cabinet” and begin to collect dust. A person that creates an ePortfolio needs to make a conscious effort to keep it relevant, professional and connected or risk losing its effectiveness.
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It has been a year since I started my journey on getting my Masters in Educational Technology Leadership. The classes have been fairly formulaic and predictable in the expectations and assignment formats until now. As I began my first Educational Technology class I was presented with a new format and new ways of thinking. At first, I was opened to new ideas until I felt my comfort level threatened. However, as I have continued working and learning through this course I have felt a growth in pride and ownership of my work.
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AuthorI am an educator, nature lover, sea turtle conservationist and dog mom. Archives
July 2017
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