Electronic Portfolios Demystified

Billie Rengo-Literacy CoachGrantsburg School District

"Teachers need to stop saying, 'Hand it in,' and start saying 'Publish it' instead."

Alan November

The Basics

•An electronic collection of evidence assembled and managed by the user (Wikipedia)

•Can contain pictures, text, audio and video clips

•Can be web-based

•3 types

•Creative outlet for students

•Student centered

•Quality vs. quantity (Englebrecht, 2012)

Increased time-on-task

Traditional Portfolios

•Not readily accessible for students

•How often do students review or add to them?

•Can't be in two places at once

•Is there an audience?

(van Nood, 2012)

Who are they for?

•Any age (kindergarten-professional)

•Any subject

•Those seeking employment

•College bound-Portfolios are now becoming a part of admissions process for colleges

•Streamline application process-Many college/scholarship applications ask for the same information

("Electronic Portfolios: Preparing,")

Types

•Works in progress

•Best work

•Assessment

(Englebrecht, 2012)

Works in Progress

•What goes in?

•Contents based on learning objectives

•Enough evidence needs to be collected to show proficiency (The Two Sisters suggest 3 or 4 proficient scores before deeming something mastered)

•Student centered(Boushey & Moser,

2009)

Best Work

•Showcases what students are proud of

•Illustrates the highest level of achievement

•Students should communicate selection criteria

•Can be presented

(Englebrecht, 2012)

Presentation

•Samples depict student learning

•Curriculum affects contents

•For the teacher

•Middle School students can post the standard they are addressing

(Englebrecht, 2012)

Reflection

•ESSENTIAL

•Guides students in setting and revising goals

•What do I know?

•What do I still need to learn?

•How can I show that I have mastered this?

•How will you build reflection in to the process?

(van Nood, 2012)

What do I do first?

•Determine portfolio type

•Tech tools?

•Show students examples

•Get the right mindset-Be expected for it to not go perfectly

•Plan for assessment

•Set up reflection procedures (how and when)

(Englebrecht, 2012)

Some possible tech tools

Image credit: twitter.com

Image credit: http://www.free-power-

point-templates.com/articles/open-powerpoint-

presentations/

Image credit: enolsoft.com

Image credit: iTunes.apple.com

Image credit: voice thread.com

Keep in Mind

•Procedures, procedures, procedures...

•For implementation

•For holding students accountable

•For helping students identify what quality work looks like

Keep in Mind (cont.)

•How will you give feedback to students?

•When will you assess portfolios?

•How will students be involved in the process?

•Will they present their portfolios?

•Will they self-assess?

(Englebrecht, 2012)

Student Reflection

•What will it look like?

•Questions to answer

•Blog post

•Video

•Oral

•Essay

(Englebrecht, 2012)

Student Examples

1st Grade Example

Kindergarten Example

Grade 3-5 examples

Creating a Blog with Evernote

6th Grade Example

Convinced yet?

"We already knew that kids learned computer tech mor easily than adults. It is as if children were waiting all these centuries for someone to invent their native language." Jaron Lanier

References

Englebrecht, T. (2012, May 31). Retrieved from http://crazyteacherlady.com/presentations.html

Electronic Portfolio: Preparing for the Future. (n.d.). Retrieved from

www.sbo.nn.k12.va.us/careerpathways/digital portfolios/

Boushey, G., & Moser, J. (2009). The cafe book, engaging all students in daily literacy assessment & instruction. Portland, Maine: Stenhouse Pub.

van Nood, R. (2012, 4 28). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://blog.evernote.com/2012/02/28/how-to-create-a-portfolio-with-

evernote-education-series/

Sargent, B. (2012, 9 17). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://kidblog.org/PhoenixSchool/phoenixschool/phoenix-kids-learn-

through-blogging/

Phoenix Kids 3-5 blog. (2012, 10 2). Retrieved from http://kidblog.org/PhoenixKids3-5/

Akaka, S. (Writer) (n.d.). Sarah akaka's electronic portfolio [Web]. Retrieved from

http://www.k12.hi.us/~jholokai/tethree/learning/eschool/portfoliohomepage.htm