FINAL PROJECT: Creating a Teaching ePortfolio

Portfolio development is a fundamental component of career preparation. The portfolio is not merely a folder of work, but a documented progression of our skills, accomplishments, creativity and goals. Employers today demand college graduates with working portfolios and, more importantly, with portfolio development skills. Teaching is one of the many careers now requiring up-to-date portfolios of its professionals.

But, how should a teaching portfolio look? What documents should it contain? What media must it display? We will explore the answers to these questions as we build our final AC230 projects. Our goal will be to create multimedia online teaching portfolios. These are referred to as ePortfolios or simply eFolios. We will learn a number of ways to create eFolios. You will then select the software most comfortable to you.

Reading:
Electronic Portfolios - by Teacher Tap
EPortfolios: What's the hype? - by iNews
Teacher Portfolios - by Dr. Barrett
Developing a Teaching Portfolio - by Ohio State U

Resources:
Blogger
rCampus
Web 2.0 Tools
Lesson Builder

Final Project Task: Use the software program of your choice to create an online eFolio of your teaching experience. You will present your eFolio in class on December 6th.
Final Project Content Requirements: Your eFolio should include your teaching philosophy, your resume or experience, two sample lesson plans and a reaction to your work.
Final Project Technical Requirements: Using LessonBuilder, Blogger rCampus or any other online capable software, create a five page eFolio. Include graphics and links as needed.

Final Project Procedure:

1. Create a diagram of your eFolio. The diagram should include the number of pages, the content and design of each page and how each page will link to the other pages of your eFolio. You will create this in class on April 17th.

2. Collect the information (text, images) and resources (links, media) you will use. Bring this information to class on April 29th.

3. Review the links above. Determine the software type to use.

4. Create your eFolio. (Apr. 29th - May o8th)

5. Email your file or link to jenheuson@yahoo.com.

6. Present your eFolio to class on Thursday, May 08th.

Lab 20: Using Blogs as a Classroom Tool

Description: What is blogging? Why should I learn how to blog? What’s all the fuss about anyway? A blog, short for web-log, is an online journal. The main difference between a blog and a personal diary is that blogs are usually public and can cover topics as diverse as “war zones of the world” and “what I ate for breakfast today.”

Blogging is an easy, and usually FREE, way to share your thoughts, feelings and, yes, even your knowledge. It’s almost like having your own online class except that it’s open to anyone you choose to let in (that is, of course, if they have a computer and Internet access)! As a teacher you can use this as a resource for class discussion or as a tool for collecting other online resources. Blogs can be used to give homework assignments, to gather online readings, or to provide journal questions.

Reading: Integrating Technology for Meaningful Learning, pp. 181 – 199; 314 – 361
Applications/Equipment Used: Windows OS, Web Browser, Blogging Software
Lessons: How To Blog Using Blogger Software

Links:

Understanding and Using Blogs
Beginner's Guide to Blogs
Blog
Legal Guide for Bloggers
Evaluation of Blogs

Tools for Searching Blogs
Google Blog Search
Yahoo Blog Search
Blogger Blog Search

Resources for Creating Web Logs or Blogs
Blogger
Live Journal
Technorati
CreateBlog

Lab Procedure:

1. Complete the tutorial for Blogger.com.

2. Using Blogger.com (or any other free blogging software), create a blog.

3. Your blog must fulfill the following requirements:

• 3.1. Be created for a specific (imaginary) class or lesson plan.
• 3.2. Include at least one web link that your students will use to complete an activity.
• 3.3. Include at least one photo or graphic that will enhance your students’ understanding of the topic.
• 3.4. Include at least one sidebar web link to additional resources or information related to the topic.
• 3.5. Include an activity or question that your students can answer by using the “Comments” function.

4. Make sure that you save and publish your blog. (You can delete it after I review it!)

5. Copy the URL of your blog into the body of an email and send to my email address. The subject line of the email should give your name and the lab number. EX: AC 230 Frank Jones Lab 07.

Congratulations! You have just completed the final lab for AC230.