Kaleidoscope65

November 28, 2006, Christa McAuliffe Conference

Today I attended a session on free digital portfolios for schools using Moodle. The session, presented by Steve Kossakoski from Exeter, NH, focused on the concepts of e-portfolios as well as the realities of using the resources available through Moodle. Because Moodle is freeware, the Exeter team was able to take the portfolio tool they created for Moodle and load it into the tool as a plug-in. Now we can all use it!

Steve played a video from Helen Barrett, in which she described the e-portfolio process as a ‘living history of lifelong learning.’ By using hypertext links, audio and video, students and teachers are now able to expand the conversation about living and learning.

Issues:

1. Impetus: NH is going to require all students to have a digital portfolio (NH ED30642), demonstrating competence using technology and competence with content, by the end of 8th grade. If they demonstrate competence w/ the technology, they do not have take tech classes in HS and can take other more advanced classes. But what about the PROCESS of creating a portfolio – isn’t that valuable for high school students as well?
2. Realities: How long will schools store and maintain the portfolios? If they can be copied and stored on CD or DVD, great for student, but is that product portable? Can they expand it as they progress to HS and college? Will portfolios become another form of compliance, or will they be a vehicle for increased creativity and reflection and therefore learning?
3. Portfolio products: Are the portfolio artifacts teacher driven or student driven? Who will be in charge? Teachers oversea, students post.
4. Idea: Focus of portfolio learning – 24/7 -All artifacts can have reflections attached to them.