Getting started
- Define the purpose of the portfolio (Learning? Showcase? Assessment?) What is this portfolio supposed to demonstrate?
- Keep a Learning Journal in the Blogger blog
- Collect digital documents [artifacts] (or convert documents into digital format through digital cameras or scanners or digital audio/video tools).
- Use GoogleDocs to create artifacts for portfolio, including word processing documents, presentations, spreadsheets, or PDFs. Any type of document can be uploaded into GoogleDocs (up to a maximum of 1 GB, not counting Word/Excel/Powerpoint files converted to GoogleDocs).
- Select specific documents to meet the goals identified in step 1 above. (Sometimes in reviewing the documents, the goals emerge!)
- Use a simple table to list the artifacts, and assign (classify) each one to the outcome/goal/standard that the artifact will demonstrate.
- Set up pages for each component of the portfolio (outcome/goal/standard)
Blogger is a "blog" or learning journal (sometimes called a learning portfolio) that allows individual posts, organized in reverse chronological order. The learner can create a link to any GoogleDocs Document/Presentation/Spreadsheet, to a GoogleSites page, or any web page.
Create a New Post for each entry, to reflect on learning that takes place over time. Add at least one label to each entry, to add a classification system.Digitize/Store Digital Artifacts
Most of the time developing an electronic portfolio will be spent in the development of the digital archive (mostly maintained in GoogleDocs), and in maintaining this learning journal, that may include links to the specific learning activities being discussed in the journal/blog.Authoring a presentation portfolio with Blogger Pages
At a certain point in time (prior to a parent conference, end of the school year, etc.), a more formal presentation portfolio would be developed, which is discussed below. Below is detail on each step, using Blogger Pages and GoogleDocs.
Create a first page - Introduction and Table of Contents
Write an Introduction to the Reader (sometimes this is the last thing you write, although it is the first thing people will read). Identify the purpose of this portfolio, the audience, and the contents. Why did you create this portfolio?Set up a structure using goals (or themes) as organizing framework
Create individual pages for each goal/theme (maximum of 10 pages). These pages will appear on the navigation structure of the blog, either on the left side or across the top, as shown on this page.Upload artifacts/create hyperlinks
Add the artifacts (through hyperlinks or EMBED codes) to the appropriate page in the portfolio. 1 GB total storage available in Google Docs (not counting converted documents… put your video in SchoolTube or another video storage site!)Write reflections for each goal/skill and each artifact
Write a brief reflection on each artifact (what is the context in which this artifact was developed? Why was it included in the portfolio?). You might also write a reflection on each grouping of artifacts (by outcome/goal/standard).Write future learning goals
Set up a page for Goals. The process of goal-setting turns portfolio development into powerful support for lifelong learning or professional development.Publish Portfolio - Seek Feedback
This stage provides an opportunity for interaction and feedback on the work posted in the portfolio. This is where the power of Web 2.0 interactive tools becomes apparent. Feedback through comments in blog or allow comments on pages.Evaluating Portfolios
Teachers often provide exemplars for different levels of achievement, and provides a rubric for evaluation.
The portfolio developer should be given the option of updating the work, based on the feedback and the rubric.
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