E-Portfolios: a Win-Win-E-Portfolios: a Win-Win-Win Technology Strategy for Win Technology Strategy for

Students, Faculty and Students, Faculty and InstitutionsInstitutions

Simmons College

May 20, 2003

Linda Ehley, Associate Professor

E- Portfolio QuestionsE- Portfolio Questions

What are E-Portfolios? What are the basic types of E-Portfolios? What are the trends with regard to E-Portfolios? What is Alverno’s Diagnostic Digital Portfolio? What are some benefits and issues we have

found in using the DDP?

What are E-Portfolios?What are E-Portfolios?

Creative means of organizing, summarizing, and sharing artifacts, information, and ideas about teaching and/or learning

A collection of student work that is stored on a computer, on a CD-ROM or using some other digital technology

Characteristics of PortfoliosCharacteristics of Portfolios

Portfolios can feature multiple examples of work

Portfolios can be context rich Portfolios can offer opportunities for

selection and self assessment Portfolios can offer a look at development

over time

Assessing the Portfolio: Principles for Practice, Theory and Research (1998 - Liz Hamp-Lyons

What are the types of What are the types of E-Portfolios?E-Portfolios?

Institution Program Assessment Course Assessment Faculty Assessment

Faculty Teaching Assessment Course Assessment Personal

Growth/Reflection

Student Student Learning Evaluation/grading Showcase

What are the Trends?What are the Trends?

To HAVE an E-Portfolio! Technology

Portfolios have been around in other than digital format for many years - Electronic/digital provides easy access

Public Relations Better understanding of student learning in higher

education Accreditation Documentation

Teacher Education programs

Alverno’s Diagnostic Digital Alverno’s Diagnostic Digital Portfolio (DDP)Portfolio (DDP)

A cumulative yet selective record of an individual student’s academic work that is electronically assessable.

Main purpose - to assist students in analyzing their patterns of learning

A mirror to reflect her learning thus far and a map to chart where she is going

Alverno CollegeAlverno College

One of about 80 US women’s colleges Ability-based curriculum Two time frames: Weekday, Weekend About 2000 students with a high level of ethnic

diversity Majors with largest enrollment:

Business and Management; Education; Nursing, Professional Communication/ CMT; Social Sciences/Psychology/CLD

http://www.alverno.edu/for_educators/publications.html

It’s not about the It’s not about the technologytechnology……

…it’s about …it’s about learninglearning

Why We Created the DDPWhy We Created the DDP

Mountains of information on student performance and learning 14 different locations Not easily accessible to students and faculty

Wanted a vehicle to enhance student reflection on their learning across time

Student ReactionsStudent Reactions

Very positive and excited Interested in developing a “history” of her

learning Eager to participate and add additional materials Made her learning -- what she does at Alverno --

more visible Provides “one location” to access criteria,

advanced outcomes, learning style templates and advising templates

Faculty ReactionsFaculty Reactions

Very positive for piloting faculty Easy access to Communication criteria,

writing and speaking templates, Advanced Outcomes and self assessment framework

Time and complexity issues Emphasized the need for technology

support

IssuesIssues

Provide specific places where students reflect on their learning Integrating Moments

Address the varying computer literacy levels of students

Integrate DDP use into classroom practice Extend understanding of uses of the DDP

BenefitsBenefits

Increase computer literacy among faculty and students Actual “purpose” for using technology

Provide specific places in curriculum for reflecting on prior work and setting goals

Assist students/faculty in “seeing” learning and self assessment development

Improve quality of self assessment Help students with learning issues

Central Features of the DDPCentral Features of the DDP

Key Performance - assessment, assignment, internship, project, etc. Description, criteria, self assessment, feedback Actual work is optional

Organized by: Abilities Level 1 - 4 Major and Support Advanced Outcomes

Personal & Professional Development Student driven Additional resources to assist student learning

Questions - Comments?Questions - Comments?

ReferencesReferences

The How and the Why of Electronic Portfolios in Higher Education - Marsha Leeman-Conley

http://www.softcom.net/users/conley/papers/TechEd99.html#whatis

Electronic Portfolios: Students, Teachers, and Life Long Learners Annette Lamb

http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic82.htm

Electronic Portfolios: Emerging Practices in Student, Faculty, and Institutional Learning - AAHE- 2001 Barbara L. Cambridge, volume editor

Alverno’s Diagnostic Digital Portfolio http://ddp.alverno.edu