Several years ago...ok...maybe it was MANY years ago...a colleague and I wrote a grant focused on the meaningful integration of technology into the classroom. She was a tech teacher and I teach history....so it was a match made in grant heaven. We got the necessary funding and support to develop e-portfolios for our middle school. Initially, many teachers were using them. But I think I am the only one still holding on to this idea. I think it is so beneficial for kids to have a record of how their year went, from beginning to end. We also use the e-portfolios at student led conferences in the fall and the spring. In the age of online grades, parents enjoy seeing samples of their kid's work. They also enjoy reading their child's reflections about their work.
We actually use powerpoint to create the portfolios. We designed a template that the kids can personalize with the information. We did check out other tools (such as e-folio MN) but found that PPT was the best for middle schoolers. They love the flexibility and creativity! Plus, they already know how to use PPT. I could see how maybe high schoolers and college students could use the e-folios. I do think it's cool that they are provided for free. It is a great idea.
However, when it comes to e-folios I think I am going to stick with "if it ain't broke don't fix it". Since powerpoint has been working well so far, I'll stick with it.
I do love portfolios and think that teachers should use them...whatever the format!
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Thing 16: e-portfolios
Posted by Sarah Rother at 1:05 PM
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4 comments:
Hi, Sarah,
I like your honesty about e-Portfolios but just feel that your kids are missing out on sooooh much!
I've been researching e-Portfolios every day for about two years now. As you will see if you check out my site, I've developed eFolio for all ages here in the UK.
See my site, particularly the tab for eFolio!
or www.maximise-ict.co.uk/eFolio-01.htm
Also just started my blog at:
http://efoliointheuk.blogspot.com/
Do you take digital pictures of work for the Portfolio PPTs or is most of the student work turned in electronically as Word docs?
I've used eFolio but I agree--it's pretty complicated for middle schoolers unless they've revised it in the past couple of years or it's like the UK eFolio.
Hi, Sarah and Connie,
For me any form of media is OK, For the youngsters eg age 5-6 scanned images or wordprocessed documents might be acceptable. But as soon as they are able, photographs MP3 or MP4 files can be just dragged into an appropriate page.
But this is a two-way thing. Not only does the young child with their teacher 'post' an exemplar item, but, from home, parents can also assist the child in actively celebrating some activity, a birthday party or a special visit etc. In this way the teacher can get to know more about the home-life and support that the kid gets from home.
As far as eFolio is concerned, the initial set-up of templates and menus is all arranged between eFolio and the co-ordinating teacher before a whole set of individual eFolios are generated from what's called the Clonebase. In this way you can give as much help or preparatory guidance as you wish.
For a good example of the sort of guidance I provide for my (UK) Diploma students can be seen at:
http://www.ukclonebase14-19.efolioworld.com/
Best Wishes,
Ray T.
Sarah, I would love to see examples of students' e-folios, if possible. I think you are "right on" in expressing the value of them, but they are certainly neglected in many districts/classes. Perhaps this is something MILI should focus on in the future? Would love your thoughts on this . . .
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