Electronic Portfolios for MSU Extension Agents Elizabeth Scott Doctoral Candidate Rosewood Seminar Series April 9, 2003

Professional Electronic Portfolios Collection of professional products A presence on the web Reflection of ones thoughts and beliefs Demonstration of learning and assessment Hyperlinks connect the portfolio to the larger universe and put it in context

Portfolios in Higher Education Institutions: Demonstrate accountability to their stakeholders and to foster institution- wide reflection, learning, and improvement Faculty: Document and reflect on their classroom practice and enable comment by colleagues or others. Students: Present and reflect on work within courses or across programs

Communities of Practice by Etienne Wenger Groups of people Shared concern Passion for a topic Deepen knowledge and expertise Interact on an ongoing basis

MSU Extension Mission Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities.

Benefits to MSU Extension Supports horizontal organizational plan Supports Area of Expertise delivery system Enhances community of practice Increases organization flexibility Fosters institution wide reflection Demonstrates accountability to stakeholders

Benefits to Agents Enhanced professional image Flexibility of design Quick and easy to change Documents are published not trashed Hyperlinks direct clientele where you want Faster more efficient delivery of information

Benefits to MSUE clientele Quicker access to information Information may be more up to date Delivers programs into their home or place of work Provides immediate access to additional information via links Can access information on their time line

Goal Increase the number of MSU Extension Agents who use professional electronic portfolios to enhance their professional development and create a presence on the web.

Objectives – Agents will.. Understand the purpose and potential of electronic portfolios Identify potential uses for their portfolio Access their space via their pilot account Create simple pages using Dream Weaver Create links to outside sources Create links to papers and publications of their own Insert images onto their pages

Method Computer lab workshops Both on and off campus Supporting materials via web sites On going consultation Weekly tip sheet sent electronically Regional portfolio mentors

Access to web space MSUE staff have 50 MB of space free The address is your pilot login Agents need software (some is available free), a computer and modem and a collection of papers, pictures etc FTP (file transfer protocol) puts the pages you create onto the web in your space

Typical Agent Site to Include Home/index Portrait of self Brief biography/resume Contact information Links to county and MSUE Links to additional pages

Additional Pages AOE Team or Developmental Committee Fairs Schedule or calendar (from Outlook) Workshops offered (including outline) PowerPoint presentations Philosophy of teaching, learning, youth development Local county forms and newsletters

Tips for Usability Name each page Include your own name, title and contact info Pictures should be small, limited and near the bottom of page Include home link on each page Limit use of fancy graphics, video and other items that are slow to load

Tips for Design Page properties – less is more Arial 10 pt is web standard Contrast, color and balance Tables vs Frames Use of images (jpg or gif) Links

Web Design Software Netscape Composer (free) Dream Weaver (most powerful) Front Page (not supported by MSUE)

Additional Software Adobe Acrobat Paint Shop Pro WSFTP – Lite ipswitch.com/cgi/download_eval.pl?product= WL-000

Resources Michigan Virtual University (tutorials) Jakob Neilson on Usability Danah Henriksen’s Design Page Elizabeth Scott’s Electronic Portfolio

Welcome Scott Electronic Portfolios for MSU Extension Agents Elizabeth Scott Doctoral Candidate April, 16, 2003 Rosewood Seminar Series