Benefits of the ePortfolio

Why is the ePortfolio Important?

My thoughts about why we should use an eportfolio really are summed up nicely in both the web conference and the article “41 Benefits of an ePortfolio.” First I would like to refer to something my professor, Dr. Ybarra, mentioned in a recent web conference about how the ePortfolios are our own and what we need them to be for what we intend to use them for. To extend upon this idea, I would like to refer to personalized learning. The ePortfolio is extremely personalized in that we get to use the COVA model to modify or enhance our portfolios in a way that will help us show off to current and future employers. This will serve as very beneficial to current employers/coworkers because our ePortfolio will contain information that will validate our credibility as technology leaders, but also display proof as to how future employers can trust us enough to possibly hire us. The ePortfolio will show so much more than mere answers to interview questions. It shows our process and product of our progress as edtech leaders which brings me to discuss the article “41 Benefits of an ePortfolio.” I really like how the article split up the idea/benefits into the “process” and the “product.” This immediately made me think of the PBL that my students have been doing this past year. I noticed that the product of the projects sometimes were not as important as the collaboration and research that they did where they were able to really dig into the skills that were presented to them. I also noticed that by my students publishing and presenting their products, they were able to gain confidence thereby making them excited about learning more and getting even better at their English skills.

 

I think it is the same for us in the current Lamar technology leadership program. We will learn more through the process of completing projects, but also reap the benefits of presenting and publishing our product which will help us in our leadership roles! This idea also got me thinking about a recent conversation that I had with a co-worker/employer. She said that as a library media specialist or technology specialist that sometimes our jobs put us on an island where we are sometimes alone. She told me that my new position would be much different than my teaching position where I was able to go next door or to any of my hallway neighbors to shoot out an idea where I was then able to discuss, collaborate, and thereby “process” the idea to modify to make it better. She said that it would be more challenging to “process” ideas with no neighbors or team members on my campus nearby me. I then started thinking about how the ePortfolio can serve as a place for me to “process” my ideas by reflecting in my blog, sharing these ideas with my Lamar cohorts which will then hopefully become part of my ongoing PLN. It will give me a place where I can share my ideas with others in my PLN so that I can get feedback as to what works or what does not work. It will also give me a place to look over the process and progress to really see the strengths of info that I add which will also show me where I need to improve.

I can already see some benefits of what I have done with my ePortfolio so far in that by making the site itself, it allowed me to see the strengths and weaknesses of particular platforms such as Wix, the new Google sites, Weebly, and Wordpress, which I can now pass onto others so I can help weigh the differences between site platforms when other teachers/students are trying to make decisions on what platforms they should use to make a site.

Upon making my learning manifesto, I was able to learn how to make hyperdocs and then in turn was able to pass the learning experience on to my new co-worker. I will also be able to use hyperdocs in my new library media role as I now plan to make cheat sheets for tech tools by using hyperdocs. During a recent interview I had, I was able to share my portfolio and what had been done so far to show them my progress. So again, the ePortfolio is extremely beneficial in having as a product, but the process of making it has been quite insightful! For more information about Hyperdocs, I highly recommend buying this book!

Handbook

This past week I attended the TASLA conference in Austin where we had a presenter that discussed becoming a “Future-Ready Librarian/Educator.” According to the "Future-Ready Initiative," being connected is one of the attributes of really becoming “future-ready” because it allows us to collaborate and learn from others. It is important that as "future-ready" educators, that we recognize the potential of digital tools and align necessary technologies with instructional goals to support teaching and learning. I know in my current and future role as a media specialist, I take a pledge to build thos community relationships that will allow me to remain connected so that I am bringing the best and newest information to the students and school community that serve! The ePortfolio, the blog, and the Social Networking on Twitter for our PLN are all ways that we can collaborate and remain connected so that we can discuss, share, reflect, and stay up on the current technology trends that will help us become or remain “future-ready” for the students and school communities that we serve! With technology rapidly changing, so should our ePortfolios, so that we are bringing our best and newest ideas to the students we are preparing for who knows what kinds of jobs that they will need to be prepared for in the future!

References

41 Benefits of an ePortfolio. (2010, September 30). Retrieved June 14, 2017, from https://kbarnstable.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/41-benefits-of-an-eportfolio/

Professional Learning Networks

PLN’s, Twitter Teaching Communities, & Online Chats

The professional learning networks I am a part of include Twitter, Google Connected Classroom, and one Facebook group called "Encouraging Teachers."

Facebook

The Facebook group can be pretty encouraging but also discouraging if people get on there to vent. Because Facebook allows for characters in the posts, people will tend to write a lot which sometimes leads to griping.

Google Connected Classroom

I typically use Google Connected Classroom on Google Plus to connect with other teachers who might want their classes to do a Google Hangout or blog with mine. Through Google Connected Classroom, I have made connections with English teacher/Edmodo ambassador Kate Baker(also on Twitter) and was able to get Edmodo to kick off about 3-4 years ago in my English department. With Google Connected Classroom, a teacher can find virtual field trips for their students to explore or just collaborate on global projects! To get connected in Google Classroom go to this link: Google Connected Classroom

Twitter

Several years ago, I remember someone talking about how addicted to Twitter he was. I was like "what the heck is Twitter?" It wasn't until 2011 that I created my Twitter account, and the only reason I did, was to see if Will I Am would take and tweet a picture of some of my Anna HS dance students performing at the Superbowl. Unfortunately, his phone lost service during the performance, so he was unable to tweet. Boo!

Another year would go by before I accessed my Twitter account again. I attended a TCTELA convention and the keynote speaker said to make sure to tweet responses or quotes during her presentations and to hashtag #TCTELA. At that point, I didn't know what a "hashtag" was, but I noticed that other tweets had #TCTELA next to them, so I followed along. I remember thinking, "collaborating with all of these other teachers is really cool!"

Another year passed, which brings us to now, and I have to say that Twitter has rejuvenated my passion for educational professional development. I have been using it to connect with hundreds of other teachers and administrators across the state and nation via twitter chats. I have learned so much from these amazing educators. I feel like I participate in professional development that is worth my time every Sunday night from 8-9 when I type in #txeduchat http://txeduchat.com/ or on Tuesday night from 8-9 when I type in #teachwritingchat http://teachwritingchat.org/. There are chats for every subject area! Basically what happens is a host will lead the chat and post about five questions:

For instance, Q1: Describe the importance of creating community within schools.#txedchat

Then I respond: A1: It helps create a healthy work atmosphere for both the Ts and Ss. #txedchat

Q2: How do we create communities within our schools? #txedchat A2: etc...#txedchat (Then you get all of these wonderful ideas from ppl all over the state or nation!)

I remember participating in the chat about belonging to a school community and thinking about how motivating it was just to be a part of a passionate Twitter teacher community, plus I always come away learning about new technology sources, what works and what doesn't work in other school communities!

Twitter is by far my favorite learning network. Some good educators to follow are @alicekeeler, @coolcatteacher, @gcouros, @awelcome, @ShakeUpLearning @TechNinjaTodd, @kevinhoneycutt, and my very own district technology coordinator and my very own district technology coordinator @MindiVandagriff. I think that having a PLN outside of whatever district is important because it allows one to venture outside of their school and district walls to collaborate and learn.Being able to converse in Twitter chats and see others' posts has really transformed my mindset and perspective. I feel like I am constantly learning. Plus if it had not been for Twitter, I would not have ever connected with @jabellpepper who I have been able to do a global collaborative project with this year. He is a pro at making Twitter connections to schedule Google Hangouts/Skypes with which has led to some REALLY cool experiences I have had with my classes talking with professionals.

At EdCamps and Region 10 Tech Con, I have been able to make connections with some other great Twitter Ed Peeps who I now network with. Most of them present at TCEA, TXGOO, etc. which I know are experts at certain tools. I have one connection who I know is an expert in Adobe Spark, so just last week I was able to tweet him asking a question about embedding youtube into Adobe Spark which then helped someone else. Last week, I Twitter messaged a couple of instructional coaches and a director of library services in Garland ISD, a tech director in Tucson ISD, an ELA instructional coach in Richardson ISD, and a teacher at one of the tech schools in Richardson ISD to get advice about the use of tech tools. All of them were happy and even excited to respond and help because they are part of my PLN...I would do the same for them! I find that my PLN not only wants to grow themselves but wants others in their PLN to grow as well. They share a common collaborative spirit of growth mindset! I think that when an educator surrounds themselves with people of this mindset, it makes such a difference in one's attitude.

So if you don't already have a Twitter account, then I encourage you to make one and get connected with other teachers who have the same passion as you do! If you do already have an account, then make sure you follow my Twitter handle aka @tech_ela_burk!

Here is another great article about the role of Twitter in professional development: Teaching the Teachers:The Role of Twitter in Professional Development

Why is it important to get connected?

Because of participating in various PLN’s and connecting to other great educators, discussing what works and what doesn’t work, I have gone from being the teacher who cannot wait for every break to occur with a fixed mindset to the teacher who actually said, "I don't want to go on Thanksgiving break because I am having too much fun with experimenting with new strategies and with what we are doing in class." This last statement is my teacher testimony, honestly! I wouldn't be in this place if it were not for my PLN.

Being connected in the edtech world is a must because this is how we will learn and grow! There are way too many tech tools that come out so if we are all working together, we could save time and get the tips without having to test every new tool out!