E-portfolios for Learning

Abstract

It has been generally acknowledged that e-portfolios are primarily developed for ongoing learning, showcase, and assessment and that one e-portfolio system does not fit all purposes. If we are interested in the academic success and co-curricular accomplishments of our students through self-motivation, engagement, reflection, and ownership, then a learning portfolio nurtured over time has significant potential in being developed for life after graduation.

There are many e-portfolio tools and systems available, none of which provides the perfect solution to all institutional assessment and student learning needs. Google Sites for Education has only recently been considered for portfolio development but offers promising solutions to effectively build learning, assessment, and showcase portfolios including artifact storage, privacy control, collaboration, reflection, and ownership. Although orientation, training, and ongoing support are strongly recommended, Google Sites is easy-to-use and provides built-in tools to insert evidence of extended learning from sources such as social media sites.

Additionally please find below related links to student examples, portals, e-portfolio program sites, articles, and publications.

Student Career E-portfolios

A career or professional e-portfolio is a high motivator for students - it's purpose is to get them a job. Employers are increasingly recognizing the value of these e-portfolios as an important supplement to their resumes.

E-portfolios - Assessment of Learning

A summative, assessment or assessment of learning e-portfolio is used by institutions to determine if a student has met specific standards and achieved academic or professional goals.

E-portfolios for Learning

The purpose of e-portfolios for learning (also known as a development, formative, reflective or self-assessment) is to have students engage in their own deep and continuous reflection, learn more about themselves, and take ownership of their e-portfolio over time.

E-portfolio Portals and Programs

• MERLOT ePortfolio Portal with examples: http://eportfolio.merlot.org/teach.html
  
• Stonybrook E-portfolios
• Clemson University E-portfolio Program
  

Articles

• Using E-Portfolios to Support an Undergraduate Learning Career: http://www.educause.edu/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/EDUCAUSEQuarterlyMagazineVolum/UsingEPortfoliostoSupportanUnd/219102
• The Promise of E-portfolios to Improve Learning
  
• Reviewers Unhappy with Portfolio Stuff Demand Evidence
  
• Integrating E-portfolios into Your Assessment Strategy
  
• 16 Outcomes of Reflection
  
• Is Portfolio Evidence Useful?
  
• E-portfolios Come of Age
  

Publications

• Electronic Portfolios and Student Success: Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Learning AACU pub http://bit.ly/fgvOSD with exerpt https://secure.aacu.org/PubExcerpts/VALEPORT.html
  

Peace Corps Experiences in the Congo

In celebration of the Peace Corps 50th anniversary I had the privilege of presenting my experiences as a Volunteer in the Congo to a group of Elmira College students and faculty. Below are the Slideshare slides followed by related links that I used for general research, reading, and preparation for the presentation.

RESOURCES

ABOUT THE PEACE CORPS

• Refer to links in Slideshare presentation
• Learn About Volunteering: http://www.peacecorps.gov/index.cfm?shell=learn
• http://multimedia.peacecorps.gov/multimedia/pdf/about/pc_facts.pdf
• PBS and Peace Corps Global Café: http://www.pbs.org/newshour/extra/globalcafe/peacecorps This collaboration site between Peace Corps and PBS provides resources, lesson plans, letters and photographs from students around the world, and a forum for students across the globe to engage in discussion.
• Learning Out of Africa: http://abpc21.org/outofafrica.html
• Peace Corps Welcome Manual (Mali 2008): http://www.peacecorps.gov/welcomebooks/mlwb688.pdf

ABOUT THE CONGO

• CIA World Fact Book
• BBC DR Congo Profile
• http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/democratic-republic-congo-facts/
• Interactive Timeline: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/pushing-the-elephant/timeline.html
• Voices on Genocide Podcast: Series on the Congo: http://blogs.ushmm.org/COC2 

BOOKS ON THE CONGO

• All Things Must Fight to Live: Stories of War and Deliverance in Congo by Bryan Mealer
• In the Footsteps of Mr. Kurtz by Michela Wrong
  
• King Leopold’s Ghostby Adam Hochschild
• King Leopold's Soliloquy by Mark Twain: http://diglib1.amnh.org/articles/kls/index.html
• A Thousand Sisters

DOCUMENTARIES AND WEB SITES - ABUSE OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE CONGO

• DVD Lumo: A documentary on one woman’s struggles and triumphs in Congo
  
• DVD The Greatest Silence http://www.thegreatestsilence.org/
  
• The HBO web site on the Greatest Silence http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/the-greatest-silence-rape-in-the-congo/index.html#/documentaries/the-greatest-silence-rape-in-the-congo/detail/resources.html
• DVD The Rape of a Nation
• The ENOUGH Project: Eastern Congo
• Women left for dead—and the man who’s saving them by Eve Ensler in Glamour Magazine (Eve Ensler is author of the Vagina Monologues)
• Covering the War in Eastern Congo: A special report (Child Soldiers)
• DVD Children of Congo: From War to Witches
• Run for Congo Women: http://www.runforcongowomen.org/
• Women for Women International: http://www.womenforwomen.org/global-initiatives-helping-women/help-women-congo.php
• Raise Hope for Congo: http://www.raisehopeforcongo.org/
• NPR Documentary Push the Elephant: http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/pushing-the-elephant/film.html
• City of Joy - New hope for Congo's brutalised women: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/apr/09/city-of-joy-congo-women-rape