ETEC 590 ePortfolio Proposal

Emma Sarbit
Purpose: The purpose of my ePortfolio is to create a culminating project that allows me to: showcase artifacts and describe related learning from throughout the MET program reflect upon my learning throughout the MET program through the creation of a digital blueprint designate overarching themes resulting from my personal MET learning Demonstrate personal growth (specifically regarding educational theories, research, technological tools and educational design) Establish how new knowledge/understandings will inform future teaching practice Meet requirements for TQS category 6 Objectives: As a result of the above purpose, my main objectives will be to: Reflect upon coursework, completed assignments and personal growth resulting from my MET journey to discover central learning themes Collect artifacts from coursework that substantiates these learning themes Apply knowledge from these themes to practical ways to inform my teaching Audience: This ePortfolio will be geared towards the following individuals/groups: Myself (an artifact to refer back to in the future) Family/friends Prospective or current MET students (or students interested in Ed.Tech. programs) Other educators interested in Ed.Tech. UBC Faculty/Staff members

Process: 1. Platform Selection I have chosen to create an interactive website using Weebly. Although I have not used this platform before, I decided to investigate it after hearing of many of my colleagues who had chosen to use it for their portfolio. After some research, I realized that its design and functionality was better suited to my desired outcomes. Additionally, learning to use Weebly will add yet another technological aptitude in my MET toolkit. The theme I have decided on has an organized, clean and professional interface and allows for ease of navigation through my work. After reviewing an assortment of ePortfolios, these are design qualities I have deemed as important for effectiveness. As well, Weebly will allow me to easily integrate multimedia elements into my ePortfolio which will not only make my portfolio more interesting, but also assist in my demonstration of my understanding of current research as well as personal learning throughout the program. 2. Unifying Metaphor

While critiquing other ePortfolios, I found that personally meaningful metaphors were more effective. As a result, I have chosen to use the sport of Synchronized Swimming as my metaphor. In my youth, I was a national level competitor and therefore I have an in-depth knowledge of the sport. Although Synchronized Swimming looks simple, beautiful and artistic on the surface, it requires a blend of complicated technique mastery, teamwork, trust and physical fitness. In this way, I believe it parallels nicely to Educational Technology. When ET is implemented correctly in the classroom, it looks seamless and effortless. However, in order to look this way it requires technical know-how, an assessment of its effectiveness for teaching (ex.SECTIONS Framework - Bates & Poole, 2003) and critical thought and planning surrounding its delivery and use. Additionally, the Synchronized Swimming metaphor parallels to my personal journey through the MET program. On the surface, it appears that I have glided through the program quickly and easily: completing in less than two years while raising young children and maintaining a career. However, in reality, there was a great deal of late nights, early mornings, tears, frustration, hard work and of course a very supportive family behind the scenes! Using this metaphor, as well as my four overarching learning themes I have determined (outlined in bold), I plan to organize my ePortfolio in the following way: a. Home o Guided Tour o Description of audience o Statement of purpose o Details of Metaphor b. Athlete Development (details of 4 overarching themes from MET learning) o Mind Map showing overarching learnings from program o Fundamental Skills Learning Theories (Constructivism) Personal Learning Theory o Athleticism Critical Thinking Purposeful selection and implementation o Artistry Social Learning (Social Media) Engagement, creativity o Synchronicity Collaboration Communication c. Performance (application of understandings to inform practice) o Reflective Practice o Lifelong Learning o Transfer of knowledge o Philosophy about technology in future teaching practice Examples of application of learning d. Results (demonstration of personal transformation, assessment) o Final Reflection o Assessment rubric o References 3. Selection of Artifacts: In planning which artifacts to use in my ePortfolio, I first created a mindmap using MindMaple (see thumbnail below). To do this, I extracted the primary learnings from each major assignment I have completed in each of my courses. I then looked for similarities which I then grouped into four overarching themes: Constructivism, Critical Thinking, Collaboration and Social Media. I then

narrowed down my artifacts so as to have a few supporting each theme, an assortment of mediums, as well as at least one artifact from each course taken. As a result, I expect to use the following artifacts as evidence for my ePortfolio Theme Course Artifact Mind map showing the interconnectedness of my learning and main overarching themes Constructivism Blog Group YouTube Video: Exploring Effective Teaching Theorizing ET: Smart Boards or Smart Teachers? Scholarly Paper: Portrayal of Developmental Disabilities Personal Course ePortfolio: LMS Rubric Research Proposal: Considering the Student Prospective: Assessment Benefits of ePortfolios Collaborative Website: iPads for Literacy Learning Group Research Project: Origins of Silent Reading Education By Design Group Project: Classroom Websites Edmodo Tutorial Scholarly Essay: Using Twitter to Effectively Support Social Constructivist Environments Collaborative Research Project: Social Media & Literacy Blog

Constructivism

Critical Thinking

ETEC 512 ETEC 533 ETEC 511 EPSE 403 ETEC 565A ETEC 500 EPSE 410 ETEC 540 ETEC 510 ETEC 533 ETEC 511 ETEC 540

Collaboration

Social Media

4. Timeline: Week Tasks Create WordPress shell of ePortfolio, peer review to be completed on proposal, appropriate 5 changes made to planning document 6 Customize website design, layout and organization, begin writing reflections on learning, overarching themes and individual artifacts 7&8 9 10 11 12 13 Continue with content development (rationale, reflections etc.) Peer review of others e-portfolios, appropriate changes made to portfolio, continue with content development Complete rationale, guided tour video Peer review of others rational, videos and framework, complete content make appropriate changes as a result of peer feedback Submit ePortfolio, present and showcase ePortfolio, complete final revisions and feedback

5. Feedback

After reviewing the TQS Qualifications as well as other research regarding the competencies exhibited by an effective education portfolio, I created the following assessment rubric.
Competency Appears to be both educationally and personally useful Well organized, easy and logical to navigate through information Creative, unique and supported by unifying metaphor Integrative - Learning organized around central themes Linkages between learning demonstrated Understanding of theory and research demonstrated Deep thinking regarding evaluation of learning evident Demonstrates growth throughout the program Theories/research & learning linked to current or future practice Variety of media and technological tools utilized demonstrating acquisition and application of learning Absent Approaching
Accomplished

Feedback

Design

Demonstration of Learning

Reflective Practice

Application of Learning

Significance: It's always good to remember where you come from and celebrate it. To remember where you come from is part of where you're going. - Anthony Burgess Through the reflective practice of judiciously selecting artifacts and thoughtfully commenting on their part they have played in this learning journey, I will be able to clearly identify my growth through the MET program. When the process is complete, I will have created an enduring commemoration of the hard work and dedication put in thus far. By understanding just how far I have already come and celebrating this important milestone, I will be able to forge a path towards my Educational Technology future!
References:

Bates,A.W.; and Poole,G. (2003) Effective Teaching With Technology in Higher Education: Foundations For Success. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers. 79-80 More to come!