Learning From the ePortfolio Field: Using the Catalyst Site
Group 2: ePortfolio in the Programs of Study
Set-up: We know that integrating ePortfolio into courses can have a positive impact on student success. We also know that how we use ePortfolio is critical to that impact. As our programs of study continue to unfold, it will be helpful to learn from others in the field who are further along in this work. In this activity, we invite you to use the Catalyst for Learning site and your own expertise to consider ways to integrate ePortfolio into the programs of study.
Task & Guiding Questions: Your task is to use your knowledge and the Catalyst site to think about and identify ways to integrate ePortfolio into our programs of study. Your group will do a short presentation summarizing your ideas to the whole group (see Step 4). Please think about these guiding questions as you do your work:
- How can we make our programs of study more integrated and cohesive? How can we help students understand and engage with the core issues of our fields? How do we know whether students are learning what we want them to learn? How might thoughtful ePortfolio practice help us address these questions?
- What are 3-5 recommendations you would make about integrating ePortfolio into the programs of study? What are some practices and strategies that other campuses employ in this area? What evidence of impact do these campuses have?
Activity:
Step 1 (5 min): Working individually, please think about what you already know and do in relation to the guiding questions. Your expertise is important. You might use the back of this paper to make some notes to yourself about key points, based on what you already know.
Step 2 (40 min): Still working individually, use the Catalyst site to consider examples of practice, and other resources, guided by these links and prompts:
- Read the forthcoming article, Reflection Builds 21st Century Professionals (hard copies available) from Three Rivers Community College & consider these questions:
What strikes you about the ways Prof. Raefeldt and her colleagues in the Nursing Program at Three Rivers construct their curriculum? How would you characterize the relationship between different courses in the program? What’s the central, unifying goal of the program curriculum and pedagogy? How do they use ePortfolio to advance student development and address this goal?
- Read “Are We Who We Think We Are,” (hard copies available)from Northeastern U. & consider these questions:
What aspect of this essay do you find most striking? How did Prof. Matthews-DeNatale and her colleagues use ePortfolio in their assessment process? What did they learn from their assessments? What did they do as a result? How does she describe the curriculum structure that emerged?
- What can we learn from colleagues at Three Rivers and Northeastern, and they way they use ePortfolio to strengthen their programs of study? What could we borrow or adapt to our own situation at Guttman? How can we build on and strengthen what we’re already doing to advance student AND faculty learning?
As you read, take notes that help you remember your answers to these questions. After you finish these tasks, feel free to read more about TRCC's reflective practices and explore other areas of the Catalyst site:
Step 3 (45 min): Step 3 (45 min): Convene with your small group to share what you’ve learned and your answers to the questions. Take turns going around the group to share your thoughts. How could we strengthen our programs? How could integrative ePortfolio pedagogy help? What ideas or approaches examples that you read about seem most valuable? Why? Please keep track of time and make sure that everyone has a chance to share.
Step 4 (30 min): Prepare your presentation, identifying no more than 5 recommendations for strengthening our programs of study. Draw on the expertise of the group and the resources you found on the site, and keep the guiding questions in mind. Please identify specific ideas, sample practices, and other resources. Please be prepared to share your draft presentation with the group as a whole, tomorrow morning. Your designated representative (we recommend 1 or 2 presenters) will have 5 – 8 minutes to present to the group.
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