CHANGE AGENT’S PORTFOLIO Sonja Sentočnik

PORTFOLIO - what is it not?

it is not a photo album it is not a random collection of official documents, reports, recommendations, etc. it is not a tool used for promotion purposes it is not a public document

PORTFOLIO- what is it? The compilation of portfolio is a structured process. Portfolio should have a framework of reference - to define what goes into it. It should have suitable evidence - to show a cyclical process of growth (chronological order:dates). It should be shared and presented. The compilation of portfolio is a structured process. Portfolio should have a framework of reference - to define what goes into it. It should have suitable evidence - to show a cyclical process of growth (chronological order:dates). It should be shared and presented.

DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO - framework of reference - When portfolio is used as an instrument to support professional development: the process of becoming the best professional that you can possibly be You decide what you want to achieve within a period of time: your mission and vision, your goals, you self-evaluate your competencies and decide about the strategies. You make sure the above suits the context of your workplace: school’s vision and mission, school’s development plan - priorities/goals, strategies, policies, rules and regulations - frames individual autonomy.

DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO Evidence You decide what evidence to collect: How am I going to prove that I am growing? What would be a suitable evidence within the set framework? You select the representative evidence of performance and reflect: Why did I select this particular evidence? What does it show about my growth? You self-assess: What are the discrepancies between my learning intentions and my actual progress? You collect feedback and reflect: How do significant others assess my development?

Examples of evidence Teacher competencies: lesson plans, teaching materials, recordings of lessons, student portfolio material, reflections on lessons, feedback from observer(s), student reflections, parent reflections, descriptions of critical incidents, etc.

Sharing portfolio Portfolio - a very personal documentation of professional identity - personal property Added value: critical friend - PROFESSIONAL DIALOGUE a trustworthy person confidence and confidentiality provocative questions - performance NOT personality, no advice from own experience! no judgement - just another perspective!

PHILOSOPHY BEHIND PORTFOLIO USE Comparison - the quality of own performance AN INDIVIDUAL SUCCESS STORY Starting point: individual’s prior knowledge and experience, strengths and weaknesses, goals - criteria and standards Process: purposeful investment into own improvement/growth self-monitoring - plan1-implement-observe-REFLECT-plan2 documentation - collecting, selecting : REFLECTION sharing: critical friends - REFLECTION Result: presentation, celebration

REFLECTION - at the heart of learning process Looking at own performance with detachment Thinking about achievement by considering the process - better understanding Reconsidering own practice - to do it better next time (lifelong learning) Comparing self-assessment with external feedback (changing the lenses) Informed decision making REFLECTION PROCESS: feelings, emotions process of learning results new goals

PORTFOLIO PROCESS Planning: own development (self-responsibility) Collecting: evidence, feedback (documenting own performance, self-monitoring own growth) Selecting:evidence (reflecting own learning process) Sharing:portfolio conferences (gaining insight) Reviewing: How did I develop? What did I achieve? Presenting: process and results (pride about own achievement) Planing ahead:next level - the spiral of development

BENEFITS OF PORTFOLIO USE STRUCTURE - “If you know where you are going…” LEARNING - from succesful and less successful experiences EMPOWERMENT - It’s you who decides, it’s you who are in control. SELF-CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM - I know who I am and what I stand for. I invest in my growth. I am proud of my achievement. SUPPORT TO INTRINSIC MOTIVATION - good can always be better!

SHORTCOMINGS OF PORTFOLIO PROCESS time consuming process can be messy doesn’t work in coercive climates misuse can be devastating if it is not shared - remains at individual level - does not support organisational learning

Course-related learning portfolio RECOGNITION INTERPRETATION UTILIZATION of learning experiences provided by the course

PORTFOLIO- A BACKBONE OF THE COURSE YOUR NARRATIVE OF CHANGE EFFORT RIVER STORY portfolio framework DAILY WORKSHOP SESSIONS - embedded reflection: making connections, awareness of own learning END OF DAY PORTFOLIO SESSIONS - structured work with critical friend EVENING REFLECTION TIME - MY RIVER STORY: opportunity to personalise the river of change - different focus -using the knowledge gained in workshops END-OF-COURSE EVALUATION with portfolio INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO START DEVELOPMENT PORTFOLIO AFTER COURSE

RIVER OF CHANGE