Monday, November 11, 2013

Chapter 11: Engaging Teachers and Students in Learning and Self-Reflection


Photo credit to DoDEA from flickr


Focus Question: How can teachers and students use digital portfolios as tools for learning?

Digital portfolios offer affective ways for students and teachers to access teaching and learning opportunities. A digital portfolio is a collection of educational things gather together into a CD-ROM, website, or computer file.

There are several advantages and disadvantages of a digital portfolio. Some advantages are that digital portfolios are easy asses, include creative information display and also allows teachers and both students experiences in technology skills. A few disadvantages include time, computer access, and that the style will override substances in the presentation of information.

One type of portfolio that was discussed was a standard-based digital portfolio which serves as a way for new teacher candidates to connect lesson plans, teaching evaluations and other several other things that are done within the classroom.

I find that digital portfolios are used much more today in the modern world then they were back then. I find it very fascinating that digital portfolios can be very fast and simple to create. Also that they can transfer anything being done within the classroom with other teachers.

Tech Tool: Digital Portfolio Building Resources

While creating a digital portfolio you can include many different templates that can help you completely design your portfolio. Three of the templates mentioned are TaskStream, iLife and EduTools. The TaskStream is popular for a digital archiving tool, it’s a software that provides users with a variety of design options including presentation portfolios and learning how to work portfolios. iLife is a software created by Apple computers. This software allows you to incorporate more sound effects and professional quality features. Edutools is a website that provides online reviews and comparisons and consolations for teachers and schools interested in using e-learning tools and also provides reviews if online colleges.

 Summary & Conclusion:

Chapter 11 examines how teachers and students can be active participants in evaluating and assessing their own growth as learners using technology. Technology can be a powerful tool while assessing your students because it allows your students to perform what they have learned and what is being taught throughout the classrooms. Also the chapter explores how teachers can use performance-based portfolios, presentations and publications for personal and student assessments. Finally, the chapter ends with ways to use domestic classrooms and online survey software. Students can become actively involved with assessments and educational using technology. One way is by using the online survey which allows students to activate their prior knowledge and also giving them the ability to decide different materials will be used throughout the lesson. If you involve your students in the process of performance they will build a partnership for their learning environment and have an outstanding evaluation.

Resources:
Maloy, R. W., Verock-O, R. E., Edwards, S. A., & Woolf, B. P. (2010). Transforming learning with new technologies. Allyn & Bacon.

1 comment:

  1. Nice summary and the start of a little reflection on the importance of assessments/digital portfolios. Surveys, clickers, and the variety of online tools make the idea of more assessments more palatable, but I still see more teachers 'not' doing their best regarding assessments. We'll see if they catch on !

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