Technology workshop # 3

17/03/09

During this weeks workshop, we worked in Microsoft Publisher to make an e-portfolio (or digital portfolios as they are also known). E-portfolios are useful for me when going for interviews and trying to think of lesson plans. Also it is a way of looking back on ones own work and assessing progress. Creating an e-portfolio could also be useful for the students, like the example Greg showed us in the lecture which tracked a young girls progress. Depending on what level I am teaching in a school I would either create the portfolio (this would be appropriate for younger grades), let the students create their own portfolio and help out where needed (this is more appropriate for older grades, possibly those outside of the primary years), or use a collaborative approach (for middle primary classes). Creating e-portfolios would indirectly help children prepare for entering the workforce, as it boost online presentation skills, it also provides an opportunity for self assessment and reflection, and offers a overview of development over time. There are different types of e-portfolios; Instructional which documents a students growth over time, these include journal and unit. There is also an assessment type which contains work which shows the level of understanding and progress over a period of time. Samples of these can be found at http://www.electronicportfolios.com/

Some other websites I thought might be useful was: http://www.pa.ash.org.au/natcom/natcom3/models/portfmod.asp
http://www.aare.edu.au/02pap/woo02363.htm