Traditionally, student records meant analyzing standardized test scores and grades in certain subjects (i.e. report card or official transcript). These scores would follow us wherever we went. Future employers would want to have access to these records to see if we are capable of fulfilling a certain job requirements. Do test scores and grades really paint a valid picture on whether or not someone will be an amazing journalist or the next teacher of the year? We have to move forward from just analyzing how someone looks "on paper" and look more at authentic evidence on what the student can do (strengths), to help paint a better picture of the student and also to get to know the student more than just a resume or transcript but as a future employee, etc. Digital Portfolios provide employers and college admission boards this opportunity. The two schools, Eastern and Thayer, that helped model the digital portfolio implementation process were amazing examples! What role models to demonstrate such success to others. They definitely got me motivated!
Collaborative Planning for Electronic Portfolios: Asking Strategic Questions
by: Dr. Barrett
This educator seems to know it all when it comes to electronic portfolios! She describes in this article specific areas to include in an electronic portfolio to make sure that all areas are covered before publishing.
- Goals
- Guidelines for the selection process
- Sample work for each goal
- Feedback from teachers and peers
- Self Reflection (most important)
- Rubrics (what was the assessment process)
- Standards and Models of other portfolios
Developing Student Electronic Portfolios
This site offers multiple resources on the use and implementation of electronic portfolios...even links to Dr. Christie's site! :)
Susan Silverman's electronic portfolios for her students
The electronic portfolios/ year books for each of her students were amazing! I loved to see how she organized each of her students work. It resembled a traditional web set up and each child's name linked out to their portfolio. I really only observed writing samples, and all of the writing was typed. I sure hope that Ms. Silverman did not type all of her student's work each time they were ready to publish. I can really not see that as useful time, especially with all that is expected of us teachers today.
Dr. Alice Christie's Examples of Electronic Portfolios
A lot of sites to choose from, but I had trouble navigating my way around, because most of the links were broken. I did come across an interesting site for kids called KidPub. This site (small fee required) allows students access to publish their own writing as well as view other kid's writing. What a great way to bounce off ideas and to show growth over a period of time. This site also allows teachers to create accounts for their own classroom. My only concern would be how to come up with the funds, and finding time for the students to publish their work on the classroom site without depending on the teacher.
I realized that their is a wealth of knowledge pertaining to electronic portfolios that my school and myself have not discovered. My goal would be to definitely start something to this caliber for the upcoming year. Anyone interested in donating a class set of flash drives??
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