Using Learning Portfolios to Engage Students in Reflective and Integrative Learning Erin Alanson University Honors Program University of Cincinnati Stacie Edington College of Engineering University of Michigan

Pair & Share What do you hope to learn about reflection, integration and learning portfolios?

Session Goals Discuss the importance of reflection and integration in order to create global leaders Review the purpose and goals of learning portfolios Share examples of implementation Discuss benefits/limitations and consideration for implementation

The Engaged Student LeaderShape graduate & on-site coordinator Project Unbreakable Student government’s Director of Women’s Affairs ElectHer planning committee member CONNECT conference planning committee member WorkFest Communication Sciences & Disorders Major Student Singer Study abroad to Rome Honors Ambassador Undergraduate research 18-credit hour semester Summer internship

“Being a global citizen scholar and creating real change in the world today requires a sense of curiosity and passion, vision beyond yourself, and just plain tenacity…It is about ‘ands’ and not ‘ors;’ about synthesis, not compartmentalization.” –Lou Ann Simon (2008) President, Michigan State University

Integration “Few college graduates can expect to spend a whole career with the same employer or even in the same line of work. To participate responsibility as local citizens, then, people must also be citizens of the world, aware of complex interdependence and able to synthesize information from a wide array of sources, learn from experiences, and make connections between theory and practice.” – Huber, Hutchings, Gale Peer Review

Reflecting on Engagement "We learn by doing and realizing what came of what we did." — John Dewey Experience and Education 1938 "We do not actually learn from experience as much as we learn from reflecting on experience." — George J. Posner Field Experience: A Guide to Reflective Teaching 1985

Learning to Learn “There are two goals in the experiential learning process. One is to learn the specifics of a particular subject, and the other is to learn about one’s own learning process.” – David Kolb

The learning portfolio provides a structure for students to reflect on their learning over time to "develop the aptitudes, skills, and habits that come from critical reflection" – Zubizaretta, 2005 It is critical that we engage students in “the development of an internal voice that provides students with the capacity to define their beliefs, identities and social relationships, guided by their own visions and responsible for their own experiences and decisions.” -Baxter Magolda, 2004

What is a learning portfolio? A digital collection of work including evidence of a person’s development, such as values, skills, & experiences, collected for the purpose(s) of: reflection and integration showcasing excellent work, and/or assessment

Michigan Engineering Michigan Engineers purposefully leverage the broad educational experiences across the UM campus to enhance their education in preparation for the challenges of the 21 st century. Michigan engineers gain substantial technical knowledge in an engineering discipline while developing a multidisciplinary systems oriented approach to problem solving. They will develop this technical depth plus the additional competencies of: Creativity & Innovation Entrepreneurial Mindset Intercultural Intelligence Collaborative Spirit Social & Environmental Responsibility Effective Communication

Honors Seminar Year 1: Looking Forward Goals & Plans: “Designing My Michigan Experience” Professional Image; About me; Experience Showcase Year 2: Looking Inward Values; Strengths; Philosophy My Contribution; Tags Year 3: Telling Your Story Integrating Experiences; Mentoring Capstone Showcase

Benefits for Advisors We don’t always know what students are doing unless they tell us; makes that visible! Recognizing all of student experiences, beyond transcripts and advising file. Inspiring process! Discover what students are passionate about, positive approaches, strengths, and “a-ha” moments. Connects to Appreciative, Holistic and Strengths- based Advising

Implementation Considerations How are students currently encouraged to reflect upon and integrate their learning at my institution? What are potential benefits and limitations of implementing a learning portfolio requirement at my institution? What is the purpose (content, intended audience) for the learning portfolio at my institution?

Implementation Considerations Carefully Consider Purpose Development/Reflection/Integrative Learning Assessment Showcase Communicate Purpose to Your Students UM Student Life Research Communicate a valid problem statement: “Employers tell us that Michigan students have A+ resumes, but are failing in the interview room.” Create Space in the Curriculum (if possible) Make learning portfolios a requirement; Embed in a course Create meaningful deadlines (i.e., Career Fair)

Explore Tools vs Process Consider both the tool and the process Ease of use: Don’t let technology distract from the process! Engage Students in Peer Facilitation Deepens learning for peer mentors Critical for scalability! Embed in the Culture Include in advising conversations Advisors create their own learning portfolio Implementation Considerations

Small Group Discussion What are some benefits you see for using eportfolios - for students, for advisors? What are some ways you could use it in your role and advising practice? What are some challenges or barriers to incorporating eportfolios into advising? What kinds of training would you find useful for leveraging the eportfolio in advising?

Resources Arcario, P., Eynon, B. & Clark, J.E. (2005). Making connections: Integrated learning, integrated lives. Peer Review, 7(4), Baxter Magolda, M. B., & King P. M. (2004). Learning partnerships: Theory and models of practice to educate for self-authorship. Sterling, VA: Stylus. Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: experience as the source of learning and development. Engelwood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice Hall. Zubizaretta, J. (2004). The Learning Portfolio: Reflective Practice for Improving Student Learning. Bolton, MA: Anker Publishing Company, Inc.