Implementing the ePortfolio Benefits, challenges, answers, and how to succeed at implementation and institutionalization. Susan Kahn Indiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI) Judith Kirkpatrick University of Hawai`i, Kapi`olani Community College Yves Labissiere Portland State University WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Understand the Benefits for Students ePortfolios: Teach reflection, analysis, and integrate learning across the full educational experience Integrate knowledge and experience Assist with management of educational and professional records Provide a place to maintain a catalog of accomplishments over time Prepare for career selection and the job search Enhance self-esteem and confidence WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Understand Benefits to faculty and administrators Course-level assessment for student learning Program-level assessment for student learning and accreditation Enhanced student-faculty relationships Improved advisement Enhanced professional development Streamlined contract renewal WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Understand Benefits of ePortfolios for various audiences Parents—a window into their children’s education by providing an opportunity to: View learning presentations and products Share more directly in experiences like study abroad and service learning Employers—a resume-enhancing tool that provides critical information about applicant skills and learning Faculty—colleagues exchange information and feedback about research, teaching, committee work, and service Programs—a means to assess programs, learning outcomes, and enhance the transcript WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Anticipate Challenges for ePortfolio Use Limited faculty and student time and energy Lack of funding Lack of understanding of the value of ePortfolios in enhancing student learning The willingness of faculty and administrators to promote the ePortfolio and matrix thinking The need for faculty and students to develop the skills to use ePortfolio Inadequate technological resources and support Fear of technology Resistance to change Educating ePortfolio audiences for viewing WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Answers to Challenges Time and Energy: ePortfolios use the same time for more benefit by empowering students to: Document their own educational and professional progress Get the feedback they want and need Become more self-directed in their learning Money: Once implemented, ongoing costs are minimized if you adopt an open source solution (i.e. SAKAI or MOODLE) Value of Reflection: Reflective analysis improves everyone’s learning through promoting higher level thinking WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

More answers to challenges Skills: The software is easy; the habit of documenting and reflecting upon one’s learning is more difficult Fear of technology: ePortfolio, if set up right, is a user-friendly technology Resistance to change: Matrix and folio thinking necessitates new ways of thinking about teaching and learning Educating ePortfolio audiences: encouraging opportunities for academic, community and family interface (internships, service learning, study abroad) helps train ePortfolio users in soliciting and preparing comments that can guide viewers feedback WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Campus Implementation Venues Can Include Student Development Admission, Student orientation Advisement Assessment of Learning at the Course, Program and Professional Certification Institutional Assessment Learning Beyond the Classroom Study Abroad Co-Curricular Activities, Service or Experiential Learning Career Development WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Suggestions for Campus Activities Initiate conversations among faculty, administrators, and students about Benefits of ePortfolios Challenges to ePortfolio use Provide hands-on learning about ePortfolios through Faculty & student orientation sessions Master student classes and first year seminars General education courses Advisement Faculty development Faculty contract and/or tenure documents Provide resources for pilots in various campus programs WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Motivate Faculty Reward faculty for implementing ePortfolios with: Release time Summer institutes or retreats Small grants from institutional money Assistance in seeking external grants Showcasing effective faculty portfolio use Encourage faculty to develop their own to learn and model ePortfolio use Demonstrate how ePortfolios can streamline faculty workload by: Decreasing paper flow Minimizing lost assignments Assisting with assignment review & feedback Improving assessment of student learning Enhancing benefits already present in a course management system WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Demonstrate to Administrators Emphasize the Flexibility and Possibilities Strengthening and streamlining the advisement process Providing students with view access to their student records Encouraging students to document and appreciate their learning in and beyond the classroom Developing and accessing data on learning assessment Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration in curriculum development Developing and submitting contract/promotion and tenure files Streamlining applications for grants and awards WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Get students to use them Enhancement of self-esteem by Becoming aware of how much & how deeply one has learned Being able to demonstrate one's progress to faculty, peers, family, & employers Improved learning outcomes through Additional scaffolding and incorporation of standards Enhanced feedback from faculty and peers Increased learning, creativity, and control Integration of learning in and outside of the classroom Recognition of learning relevance to the real world Better positioning for career choice and job search Enhancing ability to apply for a academic and co-curricular opportunity WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

How to Succeed Begin small Expand as demand builds With pilot groups Specific colleges, programs, or activities Cohorts of students By discipline By year or semester Expand as demand builds Incrementally by adding units, activities, or cohorts Include as many common interest groups as possible WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Promoting ePortfolio Thinking Academia values the creation, organization, and refinement of knowledge Matrix/Folio thinking gets to the heart of these academic values Through reflective analysis and ePortfolio development, students define and refine their relationship to knowledge and develop habits that sustain their collection that best represents their academic preparation Folio thinking promotes deep learning through Organization Reflective analysis Evaluation Creative manipulation of information WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

ePortfolios Provide Opportunities for Curricular Coherence Integrative Learning and Reflection Synthesis and Analysis Co-curricular and Extra-curricular learning Making sense out of the college process WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Provide Incentive for Colleagues Employ value motivators, note frustration points, and use strategic thinking to encourage ePortfolios Demonstrate the educational value and benefits that can be obtained from implementing ePortfolios and matrix/folio thinking in the classroom Showcase faculty and students who have gained new enthusiasm for teaching and learning through ePortfolio use. It will happen. WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Example: How would you document today’s workshop for your ePortfolio? The ePortfolio database procedure Fill out a form with the basics, when, where, why Upload accompanying notes, plans, things you would like to remember Connect your form with your notes Present information to colleagues, deans, administrators, via emailed links/announcements or even put the presentation as a permanent link on your website WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08

Develop flexible policies Example: The ePortfolio system is available for anyone affiliated with our College The ePortfolio system is a value-added opportunity for our College The ePortfolio system is free for users. This is a model. It’s not the only model, but it works. Plan for people to use it over time and over lifelong learning. WASC ARC Conference 4/17/08