ePortfolio - Initial Thoughts

As I read through the articles for class this week this image popped up. This was pure comedy to me. I mean absolute comedy. To me it screams COVA but I could be wrong. I love the confidence he shows. It reminded me of myself when I first started this course and the design of the ePortfolio. I thought I had an understanding until I encountered the first major hurdle. I was swimming in a sea of confusion and I consistently asked myself what in the heck did I do this for. I enjoyed it however because it was a challenge that I knew I could conquer and I did not mind asking for help. That was a first for me but I knew that I owed the design and I could bring my vision to life. I decided that I want a working yet presentation style portfolio since I needed to do one. I want to showcase my classroom and showcase my thoughts. Is that so wrong? No, it is not. I can effectively do both. I learned that from the technology network that I joined on my campus.

I started a board in my room that allows students to tell me their ideas for how they want to learn the next TEK. They share their ideas and give suggestions on what they thought went well or failed. I love getting that type of feedback from them. It is refreshing and forces me to always consider a third way. That can be hard when you get in a grove or do not have people you can bounce ideas off of on a continual basis. I am looking forward to grouping together with some of you all in this course as I have already learned so much from you without you even knowing. One suggestion was to read digitally. I gave pushback on that because my kids are not tested digitally they take it on paper however a different explained that they look at a screen “more” than they do paper. She referenced her laptop, tablet, cell phone, and amazon fire tablet. We had an entire debate on it and in the end it helped close the gap for some of my students who needed additional support.

This course has opened me up to what an ePortfolio is. I never knew there was a certain term and requirement for it. Interesting things happen when you say yes to digital learning. I had been anti-tech in the classroom and after looking at so many different ePortfolios and seeing the benefit I am clear that it can be helpful.

I decided to jump feet first into this and take it one stroke at a time. My students are better for it and it is a quick way to share my thought with their parents as well as other educators. I have also learned that the content must connect in an effective way in order for the site to be productive. No one wants another collection of useless information.