Teacher electronic portfolios for professional development

[Barbara Jansen]

Hello! I searched the discussion archives and did not find this topic as it applies to teachers so I am hoping someone can help.

 

I have been asked by our Academic Dean to explore the idea of electronic professional development portfolios for teachers. We will implement a new PD cycle in the fall of 2012 and would like for teachers to have a way to enter their goals and track their own progress via a calendar and reflection or blog component and with the option to add documents and observation notes by peers and supervisors. Are any of you using e-portfolios? Did you make your own or are you using a commercial service? I couldn't find a suitable one via search engine. Thanks for any feedback.

 

Thanks, Barb Jansen

[Barbara Jansen]

Thanks. Let me report back to our academic dean and see if he is ready to pursue the portfolio at this time.

[Matt Montagne]

another point to consider...administrative leadership modeling of this process is critical to building out a culture of reflective teaching and learning using portfolios.

 

So often times in our school communities it's "Do as I say, not as I do." If administrative and teacher leaders can't model the process first or at least alongside the teaching faculty, I will venture to say that success will be limited to the edges. 

 

It seems to obvious, but modeling is often times not even considered.

[Barbara Jansen]

Good point. We are considering this, also.

[Ray Tolley]

Hi Barbara,

This has been my predominant passion for the last 7 years!  Firstly, I would suggest that it is essential that you adopt an ePortfolio system that not only meets the professional needs of teachers, but is equally user-friendly for pupils/students of all ages.  I see nothing more frustrating than trainee teachers and HE students learning to get familiar with any one of the 'adult' ePortfolio systems and then finding that they cannot use/introduce it into schools.

I would strongly suggest that you investigate eFolio - which has the ability of being totally Lifelong and Lifewide.  Here in the UK I provide it as an externally hosted system so that it is completely portable from school to school and on to higher education or employment.

see some of my examples at: www.maximise-ict.co.uk/eFolio-01.htm 

or my blog at:  www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com

 

you can contact me at [e-mail] 

or contact Lynne Groves at eFolioWorld at: [e-mail]

 

Best Wishes,

Ray T.

[Barbara Jansen]

Thank you for the links. I'll take a look at them.

[Barbara Jansen]

Hi, Ray,

At this time, we are not exploring using portfolios with students, but thanks for your feedback. I'll take it into consideration as we make our decision.