We should always start with WHY
If the WHY isn’t right, nothing else will be right.
Simon Sinek says conventionally we tend to start with what - then how - then why. This provides us with conventional outcomes.
However, if we start with why and work outwards, we can achieve remarkable outcomes.
It’s the same principal as the backwards planning model - always start with Why.
Why ePortfolios - for all these reasons
generate engaged learners
engaged learners are motivated learners
motivated learners think about their thinking because they want to improve
learners who want to grow seek feed-back and feed-forward (effective assessment)
teachers who effectively assess apply effective pedagogy
which in turn is grounded in our New Zealand curriculum in 'Teaching as Inquiry'
applying Teaching as Inquiry is employing 21st century skills
21st century skills involve eLearning, which in turn tends to ensure engaged learning
encourage children to be active and collaborative creators rather than passive consumers
ensure opportunities for authentic student voice to have an active and authentic audience
facilitate Higher Order Thinking
facilitate reflective practice
provide opportunities to demonstrate process as well as product
provide opportunities to demonstrate GRIT and perseverance in their learning
provide opportunities to include Sisomo - the powerful combination of Sight, Sound and Motion
support learners to find their purpose and passion through choice
The overarching purpose of Portfolios is to create a sense of personal ownership over one's accomplishments, because ownership engenders feelings of pride, responsibility and dedication. (Paris, S and Ayers, L 1994. Becoming Reflective Students and Teachers - American Psychological Association)
What ePortfolios - for all these reasons
accurately illustrate growth over time
offer learners an opportunity to learn about their own learning
allow learners to document their learning progress
encourage learners to develop the abilities they need to become self-directed learners
provide profiles of learner strengths that highlight interests, talents, learning styles and achievements
identify talent for further development
How ePortfolios - for all these reasons
apply Art Costa's Habits of Mind to develop intra-personal skills
apply Greek philosophy - Know Thyself, Know Thy Learning
develop autonomy, self-relatedness and self efficacy through a process of...
Collect
Select*
Reflect
Connect
Project
* Select is crucial - it requires critical reflection - refer to Michael Pohl's Critical Thinking 9part of Creative, Critical and Caring thinking).
Reflection involves story-telling. Examples are the reflective learning stories that are generated at most New Zealand Early Learning centres.
Reflection helps learners construct meaning and from there ask three critical questions
What? - What have I done?
So What? - What have I learned? What have I achieved?
Now What? - What will I do with what I have learned? What will I learn next?
Reflection has major theoretical roots -
Dewey
Habermas
Kolb
SchÖn
As Dewey states, "we do not learn from experience, we learn from reflecting on experience."
Our ePortfolios will be dynamic celebrations and stories of deep learning across the learning lifespan of each leaner.
Conclusion:
"A portfolio tells a story. It is the story of knowing. Knowing about things... Knowing oneself... Knowing an audience... Portfolios are students' own stories of what they know, why they believe they know it, and why others should be of the same opinion." (Paulson and Paulson, 1992, page 2).