Group items tagged

Over 20 research-based articles that discuss reflection, integrative learning, establishing identities and technology and design for learning. From articles that describe the iterations of implementation to the the emphasis on individual responsibility for learning, many of the concepts could be adapted by High Schools. Amazon Book Description: "Higher education institutions of all kinds-across the United States and around the world-have rapidly expanded the use of electronic portfolios in a broad range of applications including general education, the major, personal planning, freshman learning communities, advising, assessing, and career planning. Widespread use creates an urgent need to evaluate the implementation and impact of eportfolios. Using qualitative and quantitative methods, the contributors to this book-all of whom have been engaged with the Inter/National Coalition for Electronic Portfolio Research-have undertaken research on how eportfolios influence learning and the learning environment for students, faculty members, and institutions. This book features emergent results of studies from 20 institutions that have examined effects on student reflection, integrative learning, establishing identity, organizational learning, and designs for learning supported by technology. It also describes how institutions have responded to multiple challenges in eportfolio development, from engaging faculty to going to scale. "

A very recent publication that studies ePortfolio use in Higher Education. Although it is written as a guide for college instructors, consideration/adaptation of the lessons learned should be considered for middle and high school. Amazon Book Description: "E-portfolios perform many functions in higher education at both an institutional and student level. This book offers online instructors guidance in creating and implementing e-portfolios with their students. It helps them assess the needs of their students then design and implement a strategic, comprehensive e-portfolio program tailored to these needs. Further, it lets instructors see how such programs can be used as an example of their own personal and professional academic development. This is an essential resource for any online instructor or student wishing to use e-portfolios as a tool."

Another "portfolio" guide, that with scanner and current digital technologies could be adapted to 21st century skills. Amazon Book Description: "Ten simple steps to build portfolio assessment into everyday teaching."

Charlotte Danielson is the author of a framework for teaching which is being adopted by many states. Although this book was published back in 1997, and much has changed, my guess is that her pedagogical portfolio approach is still worth reading and can be translated to an electronic model. Amazon Book Description: "As recently as the early 1990s, portfolios began to appear in the classroom in to support a variety of activities, from helping students and teachers set goals to helping teachers and administrators assess curriculum needs. For many educators, the portfolio process offers a clear strategy for the achievement of important classroom objectives. According to accounts from both researchers and practitioners, portfolios can: - engage students in learning content, - help students learn the skills of reflection and self-evaluation, - document student learning in areas that do not lend themselves to traditional assessment, and - facilitate communication with parents. This practical guide provides a useful resource for educators who would like to begin using portfolios in the classroom. In a concise format, the authors examine the many uses of portfolios and offer guidance on strategies to increase the effectiveness of this process in assessment and instruction."

At $195.00, this might not be an easy purchase (although it is on Amazon used for $117.00)... and it also is at the Higher Education level. But with over 100 experts contributing, it might be a consideration. Amazon Book Description: "The Handbook of Research on ePortfolios is the single source for comprehensive coverage of the major themes of ePortfolios, addressing all of the major issues, from concept to technology to implementation. It is the first reference publication to provide a complete investigation on a variety of ePortfolio uses through case studies and supporting technologies, and also explains the conceptual thinking behind current uses and potential uses not yet implemented. Over 100 international experts with countless years of experience lend this handbook the credibility that assures its readers of its extensive, recent, and reliable content. The Handbook of Research on ePortfolios is the first handbook to investigate commercial and academic ePortfolio systems-home-grown, off the shelf, and open source-and to supply proof-of-concept evidence of successful systems."

Seems worthwhile looking at a research-based case study of a school district that implemented an ePortfolio assessment system. Amazon Book Description: "Rhode Island's proficiency-based high school diploma system requires high school graduates to demonstrate proficiency in standard-based content and applied learning skills through at least two performance assessment measures (RIDE, 2003). To meet these requirements, 12 of Rhode Island's 39 school districts are using ePortfolios as one of their performance assessment measures (Gehring, 2006). Consequently, classroom teachers in ePortfolio school districts must confront issues associated with changing their classroom practice as a result of implementation of ePortfolios. Several points were emphasized as a result of teacher perceptions, which include the power of the ePortfolio in guiding teachers' instructional decisions and re-designing assessments to meet the requirements of content and criteria standards, evaluation instruments, and institutional expectations, while making challenges intellectually interesting and of value to students (Wiggins, 1998)."