Electronic Portfolios: Showcasing, Evaluating, and Reflecting on Student Work
Using Microsoft PowerPoint®, students produce electronic portfolios (ePortfolios) that include description, analysis, and reflection on all standards. While Microsoft PowerPoint® has been used in education for some time, many of the non-linear uses and applications of the software have been overlooked. Utilizing ePortfolios require a paradigm shift from a paper-based, teacher-centered evaluation process to a paperless, student-selected analysis and ownership of her/his own learning.
Portfolios are tools of authentic assessment, and Microsoft PowerPoint® software provides intermediate and advanced users a professional, non-linear way of presenting student work. Having students describe, analyze and reflect on their work to determine their level of understanding and mastery, while integrating 21st century technology, leaves the students with a cumulative product worthy of showcasing.
Areas of emphasis for current work with ePortfolios include:
- Special Education — documenting student progress towards IEP benchmarks and goals; also in use by SELPA Program Specialists for documenting educational benefit
- English Learners — documenting student progress on CELDT and ELD levels; ePortfolios available in English and Spanish — more languages coming soon
- General Education — showcasing work related to content-area growth and learning
Areas of future exploration with ePortfolios include:
- WASC/CCR — documenting classroom/student work in the areas of emphasis for review by visitation/accreditation teams
- Program Improvement (PI)/SAIT — meeting various documentation requirements of these programs
- Cum folders — documenting all items of the cum folders via electronic means would provide easy and immediate access to teachers, counselors, and administrators
Outcomes
- Participants will leave the session with an understanding of how to implement ePortfolios in their classroom.
- Site/district teams will create an ePortfolio template customized to the needs at their site/district.
Time frame
- Half-day workshops introducing participants to ePortfolios.
- Two-day institutes with follow-up days where participants create customized ePortfolios.
Audience
Classroom teachers and representative site/district teams.
Prerequisites
Participants should understand the basic features of Microsoft PowerPoint®.
Supporting Research
Dr. Helen Barrett is in the process of conducting nation-wide research on standardized, ePortfolios at the secondary level. With this research, we hope to show that ePortfolios are directly related to student engagement, an indicator of student achievement.
NETS for Students
4. Technology Communications Tools
- Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact with peers, experts, and other audiences.
- Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
- Students use electronic portfolios to select, reflect on, and publish their work. Portfolios are non-linear in structure and truly multimedia in content, with a variety of video, audio, internal and external links, images, and text. Audience includes teachers, classmates, parents, and community.
NETS for Teachers
IV. Assessment and Evaluation
- Teachers apply technology to facilitate a variety of effective assessment and evaluation strategies.
- Teachers integrate student-generated electronic portfolios as a means of authentic assessment. Portfolios include class, school, district, and state assessment data. A teacher overlay allows for easy access to all students’ portfolios to inform instruction.
NETS for ADMIN
V. Assessment and Evaluation
- Educational leaders use technology to facilitate a comprehensive system of effective assessment and evaluation.
- Site and district administrators provide a central location for portfolios, allowing administrative access to all students’ portfolios. Portfolios include class, school, district, and state assessment data. A site/district overlay allows for easy access to all students’ portfolios to inform instruction.
Links
For more information
Contact Molly Carbo, Professional Development Coordinator.
