Why use an ePorfolio?

An ePortfiolio is great way to compile and document your experiences- it is more than a digital briefcase. It is also a form of inspiration- a learning space. I can use it to reflect on our work and think critically when building it. Dwayne Harapnuick (2019) says " the act of creation means that students are engaged in reflection and deeper learning. " If found this true when building my own. For example, I have compiled all my assignment for my innovation plan such as videos, outlines, literature reviews, and related blogs. Creating a layout and consciously designing my media to compliment my website, forced me to think critically. I had to think of my audience and be thoughtful about the way that I expressed myself. I had to consider that this work can help me professionally or hurt me.

The ePortfolio can seem like a digital filing cabinet, but it can enrich my work through reflection on my experiences. Barrett (n.d) restates John Dewey's idea that “We do not learn from experience…we learn from reflecting on experience.” (n.d). Reflection allows me to think about my experiences, plan on how to improve, act on those improvements. It puts in me in a constant state of self-improvement.

If I decided to use this in the classroom, I would emphasize that all our work will be posted for all to see. This increases our standards and improves the quality of work.

As a teacher, an ePorfolio is a space to document my work and collaborate with other teachers. As a professional, I could use this to compliment my resume. In the classroom, an ePorfolio in the classroom offers endless possibilities for higher level thinking.

Reference:

Barrett, H. (n.d.). Why reflect? Reflection4Learning. Retrieved from https://sites.google.com/site/reflection4learning/why-reflect

Harapnuik, D. (2019, May). Why use an eporfolio? . Its About Learning: Creating Significant Learning Environments. Retrieved at http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6063