ePortfolios in International Education: Fostering Integration and Awareness

Paloma Rodriguez, Ph.D. Candidate.Coordinator of International Education, Santa Fe College

Definition

What is an ePortfolio?

ePortfolios are a personalized web-based collection of work and reflections that are used to demonstrate key skills and accomplishments.

Adapted from “An Overview of Institutional. E-Portfolios” by George Lorenzo and John Ittelson. Edited by Diana Oblinger. ELI Paper 2: 2005. September 2005. https://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/eli3001.pdf

ePortfolios in Higher Education

Who uses ePortfolios?

Data retrieved from the EDUCAUSE 2014 Survey of Undergraduates and Technology by Trent Batson Ph.D., AAEEBL (Association for Active Experiential Evidence Based Learning). AAEEBL is an association of eportfolio professionals.

Appalachian State UniversityAuburn UniversityBaruch CUNYBloomsburg UniversityBorough of Manhattan CUNYBoston UniversityBrandeis UniversityBridgewater CollegeBronx College CUNYBrooklyn CUNYBrown UniversityBryant UniversityCal State University FresnoCarleton University, CanadaCentral Piedmont Community CollegeCentral CUNYCentral Michigan UniversityCentre For Recording AchievementCity College CUNYChamplain CollegeClemson UniversityColumbia UniversityCollege of Saint ElizabethDartmouth CollegeDavenport UniversityDeakin University, AUDePaul UniversityDominican UniversityEdith Cowan University, AUEmbry-RiddleEmpire State College SUNYEmory and Henry CollegeEverest CollegeFerrum CollegeGeorgetown UniversityGraduate Center CUNYHarvard UniversityHostos CUNYHunter University CUNYIndiana University Purdue University IndianapolisJohn Jay CUNYJohnson & Wales University

Journalism CUNYKapi'olani Community CollegeKingsborough CUNYLaGuardia Community College CUNYLane Community CollegeLaw CUNYLehman CUNYLoyola of ChicagoMITMacaulay CUNYManhattanville CollegeMiddlesex Community CollegeMolloy CollegeMedgar Evers CUNYMercy CollegeMontgomery CollegeMount Ida CollegeNaropa UniversityNebraska Wesleyan UniversityNYC Coll of Tech CUNYGuttman Community College CUNYNortheastern UniversityNorthwestern Connecticut Community CollegeNorwalk Community CollegeOld Dominion UniversityOtterbein UniversityPace UniversityPennsylvania State UniversityPepperdine UniversityPoint Loma Nazarene UniversityPlymouth State UniversityPrairie View A&M UniversityPratt InstitutePortland State UniversityQueens CUNYQueensborough CUNYQueensland University of TechnologyRadford UniversityRichard Stockton CollegeRoger Williams UniversitySaint Francis University

Salt Lake Community CollegeSalve Regina UniversitySouthern New Hampshire UniversitySouthern Utah UniversityStanford UniversityStaten Island CUNYStonehill CollegeStony Brook University, SUNYTexas Christian UniversityTexas Woman's UniversityThe George Washington UniversityTufts UniversityTunxis Community CollegeUFS CUNYUniversity of AlaskaUniversity of CincinnatiUniversity of GeorgiaUniversity of Guelph, CanadaUniversity of KansasUniversity of LaverneUniversity of MichiganUniversity of North Carolina GreensboroUniversity of NottinghamUniversity of Notre DameUniversity of QueenslandUniversity of VirginiaUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of WaterlooUtah Valley UniversityVaughn CollegeVirginia Tech UniversityWashington State UniversityWentworth Institute of TechnologyWestminster CollegeYork CUNY

54% (over 10 million) of students in the US used eportfolios in at least one course

14% (2,800,000) of students in the US used eportfolios in 2 courses or more

How can ePortfolios contribute to global learning?

How can ePortfolios help make global learning visible and relevant to external audiences?

ePortfolios in International Education

ePortfolios in International Education

In Internationalized Courses

In what context can we use ePortfolios in International Education?

In Study Abroad Programs In International Certificate Programs

Blog Journal/ Reflection Capstone Project

Eportfolios As Capstone Project Example: The International Studies Certificate Program At Santa Fe College

PART 1: CURRICULAR REQUIREMENTSInternational Studies Certificate at Santa Fe College

12 credits Internationalized Coursework

8 credits Foreign Language

70 points in international co-curricular experiences

PART 2: EXTRACURRICULAR REQUIREMENTS

International Studies Certificate at Santa Fe College

PART 3: CAPSTONE PROJECT- EPORTFOLIO

Sample template

Platform Student ePortfolio

• Document learning and experiences • Assess global knowledge and intercultural competence

International Studies Certificate at Santa Fe College

Student ePortfolios

Events

• 500 word essay• Has this lecture changed the way you think about this topic? Explain

Lectures, film festivals, museum visits, performances…

• 500 word essay• Advisor’s letter

Involvement

• Language Clubs• International student clubs• Model UN Team• Volunteer work with NGOs

Student ePortfolios

Research

• Research project• Picture of presentation session• RUE: SF Research in

Undergraduate Education Festival

Student ePortfolios

Study Abroad

• 1,000 word reflective essay/ journal• Picture gallery

Student ePortfolios

LEARNING WITH ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS

CCID/ Santa Fe College 2015 Survey of Global Certificates https://ccidcertificate.wordpress.com/

ePortfolio Presentation Essay0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

37%

26%

Type of Capstone Project

International/Global Certificate Models

There seems to be no clear preference over one type of capstone project vs. another.

Should we have a preference?

37%

CAPSTONE PROJECTS

ePortfolioPassport & Essay

International/ Global Certificate Models

What difference does an eportfolio make?

ePortfolios & Retention and Success

The use of eportfolios has significant impact on retention and success.

Eynon, B., L. M. Gambino, and J. Török. 2014 “What Difference Can ePortfolio Make? A Field Report from the Connect to Learning Project.” International Journal of ePortfolio 4 (1). http://www.theijep.com/pdf/IJEP127.pdfData and other resources can be found online at the Catalyst for Learning site: http://c2l.mcnrc.org/evidence/evidence-1/

Next semester Cummulative GPA2.68

2.7

2.72

2.74

2.76

2.78

2.8

2.82

2.84

Comparison Sections ePortfolio Sections

IUPUI ePorfolio-based Personal Development Plan

in First-Year Seminar

San Francisco State University

ePortfolios and Active Learning

Learner-Centered

Awareness of learning process

Reflection

Connect learning

Self-assessmentOwnership

Self-authorship

ePortfolios are a learner- centered pedagogy that promotes deep and active learning.

ePortfolios and Active Learning

Active LearningCompliance with requirements

By working on their eportfolios, students • take ownership of their own learning • engage in self-assessment• gain metacognitive skills

Integration

ePortfolios allow students:• To establish connections between what

they learn in courses and what they experience in co-curricular activities

• To link career with academics• To make a meaningful use of technology

ePortfolios and Active Learning

• Who I am• Where I am• How I got here• Where I am going

ePortfolios and Identity Development

Self-Authorship

Through their eportfolios students reflect on their role in constructing reality, on their goals, on their learning journey, on their relationship with others, and ultimately on their place in the world.

Professional Digital Identity

ePortfolios and Career Development

ePortfolios allow students to develop a professional digital identity and link academics with career development.

Employers’ views on ePortfolios

80 % of employers say that, when evaluating a job candidate, it would be very or fairly helpful for them to have access to an electronic portfolio.

Hart Research Associates. 2015. Falling Short? College Learning and Career Success. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities. Full report available at http://www.aacu.org/leap/public-opinion-research/2015-survey-falling-short.

Employers are willing to use eportfolios for hiring purposes.

Employers’ views on Skills

Employers are more interested in skills than in specific majors.

93 % of employers say that a demonstrated capacity:

• to think critically• communicate clearly• and solve complex problems

is more important than a candidate’s undergraduate major.

93%

7%

AgreeDoes not agree

It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success. 2013. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities and Hart Research Associates. Full report available at http://www.aacu.org/leap/presidentstrust/compact/2013SurveySummary

ePortfolios allow students to showcase highly valued job skills.

ePortfolios and Career Development

“The ‘How To’ of Helping Students Incorporate Their International Experience Into the Job Search and Interview Process” Ann Hubbard. M.A., Vice President – AIFS, Director, University Relations for Customized Programs and Academic Assessment and Darren Kaltved. M.Ed. Assistant Director – Career Services, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota.

S• Situation

T• Task

A• Action

R• Results

As they discuss the skills gained through their involvement in international organizations or study abroad, students can generate narratives that will prepare them for future job interviews.

Showcasing Skills

ePortfolios and Study Abroad

• ePortfolios can contribute to increase intentionality in Study Abroad programs.

• Students embark on experiences with awareness of learning goals and ownership of the learning process.

• Students reflect and debrief after their experience in their eportfolios.

Intentionality

ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIOS AND CAMPUS INTERNATIONALIZATION

Effects on International Education

Social Desirability

ePortfolios can increase the social desirability of International Education programs, due to:

• their visible and shareable nature

• their pragmatic applications

• and their integration of technology

Effects on Study Abroad

ePortfolios can help redefine study abroad as an essential academic experience and a valuable career investment. ePortfolios are a compelling tool to present this

message to important decision makers, such as parents and administrators.

Effects on International Education

After the implementation of the International Studies Certificate in Fall 2013:• 1,200 students are currently enrolled in the

certificate program• Enrollment in study abroad increased by

26%• Student enrollment in international clubs

increased by 300%• New international learning communities

were formed (i.e.: Asian Corner with 70 members)

At Santa Fe College from Fall 2013 to Fall 2014

Career Resource

Center

Honors Program

International Education

Office

AcademicDepartments

MarketingDepartment

Office of Diversity

Multicultural StudentCenter

Student Affairs

Disability Resource

Center

Grants / FoundationAdministration

Library

Student Life

Institutional Partnerships

ResearchEvents

Career Development

Fundraising

Office of Diversity

Marketing Department

Academic Technologies

Involvement

Technology

ePortfolios can strengthen campus collaboration by making international programs relevant and visible to a variety of stakeholders.

Alignment with Institutional Priorities

• Prepare globally competitive graduates.• Prepare students to adapt to a changing world and

effect positive change.

ePortfolios can help visualize the alignment of International Education programs with the Strategic Plan and Mission of the institution.

• Model and instill professionalism and intercultural proficiency.

Ex: Santa Fe College 2014-2019 Values and Strategic Plan

Alignment with Institutional Priorities

• To provide research-based, learner-centered program of services that supports access and student engagement from matriculation to goal attainment.

• Lifelong learning

• Increased utilization of technology in teaching

Paloma Rodriguezpaloma.rodriguez@sfcollege.eduwww.sfcollege.edu/international

How to get started: ePortfolio Resourcespalomamonreal.wix.com/education

Student ePortfolio Samples: http://www.sfcollege.edu/international/index.php?section=eportfolio