O&M Practicum E-portfolio Workbook & Artifacts

The O&M Practicum E-portfolio Workbook 

An ePortfolio workbook is a structured collection of the O&M candidate’s work and reflections across time and varied contexts. In the most simplified sense it is a digital collection of items, or a digital resume. The O&M and VIL programs use Google Sites for ePortfolios and digital workbooks.

ePortfolios have been called “Digital Stories” that represent “Deep Learning” (Barrett, 2004). Research from the use of ePortfolios has shown that individuals who reflect and document their practices, increase their confidence and competence within their job (Alexiou & Paraskeva, 2010; Jwaifeil, 2013). 

An ePortfolio is different than a paper portfolio in that it allows the inclusion of digital photos and video, can easily be modified over time, and can be viewed or edited from any given location.  Training materials and access to Google Sites will provide more details on the O&M candidate’s use of the ePortfolio as a coaching and documentation tool throughout the practicum.

ACVREP O&M Clinical Competencies

The PSU ePortfolio artifacts must include 7 representations or artifacts that demonstrate the candidates growing clinical competencies. Each artifact is evaluated based on the demonstration of clinical competencies as well as the candidate's explanation of how their work reflects the selected competencies.  We also recognize that these skills will continue to grow over time through practice, mentoring and ongoing professional development. 

1. Communication and Professional Relationships - Candidate is able to establish and maintain effective communication and professional relationships with students, families, colleagues, and supervisors, including individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. 

2. O&M Assessment- Candidate is able to plan and conduct individualized comprehensive O&M assessments, synthesize the findings in a professionally written report, and communicate results with students, families, and members of the individualized intervention/education/rehabilitation team, as appropriate. 

3. Instructional Planning- Candidate is able to plan for effective, individualized instruction through the: 

a. Review and interpretation of relevant records and reports.

b. Selection and preview of potential training areas (e.g., home, school, work or community). 

c. Design and/or procurement of instructional materials and appropriate devices (with appropriate medical consultation regarding optical devices) 

d. Provision of accurate information regarding options for mobility systems (e.g., long cane, dog guide, electronic travel devices) to the student and his/her family so that s/he can make informed choices regarding the most appropriate option for a given time. 

e. Collaboration with the student, his/her family, and colleagues to develop appropriate goals and behavioral objectives, and development and sequencing of individual lessons based on the student’s abilities, needs, and goals.

4. Instruction or Lesson Plans - Candidate is able to effectively teach and reinforce the following elements of O&M instruction across a range of environments (such as indoor, residential, and light business): 

a. Concepts related to independent movement and orientation (such as body, laterality, directionality, spatial, environmental, and time-distance). 

b. Mobility techniques, including, but not limited to, basic skills, cane skills, adapted mobility devices, route travel, street crossings, and the use of public and other transportation systems. 

c. Orientation skills, including, but not limited to, use of cognitive processes; landmarks; cardinal directions; room, store, and community familiarization; address system; independent information gathering; route planning; and maps. 

d. Use of low vision in maintaining safe and independent movement and orientation (such as the use of non-optical devices, use of optical devices in conjunction with eye care professionals, use of visual skills, and incorporating vision use with cane or other mobility systems). 

e. Use of remaining senses (other than vision) in maintaining safe and independent movement and orientation (such as the use of auditory skills, reflected sound, tactile recognition, proprioceptive and kinesthetic awareness). 

5. Monitoring and Safety- Candidate is able to effectively monitor orientation and mobility skills, recognize potentially dangerous situations, and intervene as appropriate to ensure student safety. 

6. Facilitating Independence -Candidate is able to facilitate student independence and problem solving ability across a variety of travel situations, in familiar and unfamiliar environments. 

7. Professionalism- Candidate demonstrates professional conduct consistent with the Code of Ethics for Orientation & Mobility Specialists, finds and accesses appropriate resources, keeps on-time scheduling, and follows and maintains appropriate record keeping and reporting procedures. 

Types of artifacts

Written Work Sample 

 A written work sample is a permanent product, such as: 

● An assessment report written by the O&M candidate and signed by the O&M Cooperating Professional.

● Completed data sheets (with the candidate’s name, context and dates).

● Home notes to parents per school/classroom policy. 

● COMS/team-approved activity modifications. 

● Logs. 

● Documents or teaching materials created for a specific student or client. 

● Other​: with a comment box that allows further description. Written work samples produced by the candidate within a class, on the job, or during a supervised experience, such as a practicum. 

Performance Evaluation 

Performance evaluations refer to a written review form of the candidate’s day-to-day performance, typically tied to a school district, adult service agency or rehabilitation hospital. The evaluation should target these areas: 

● Job performance 

● Expectations and accomplishments 

● Goals for professional development 

● Feedback regarding what the candidate is doing well 

● Identifying what needs improvement 

● A​ signature from the person conducting the evaluation and their credentials.   

Professional Letters of Reference and/or Direct Observation  

Written feedback of formal and direct observations of the O&M candidate independently and accurately demonstrating knowledge and skills. These observations may be naturally occurring or planned interactions, although observations are typically completed at a specific time, place, and date. For O&M candidates who work with children, this generally happens in educational settings, including home, school and community. For O&M candidates who work with adults, this typically happens at home, work, medical, or in community-based settings. The person writing the letter of reference or submitting the written observation should include  his or her credentials and the date/s of the observations on agency/district letterhead. 

Video Work Sample 

Videos demonstrate implementation of specific knowledge or skill statements in educational, home, and/or community settings. 

All videos must include written parental and/or participant informed consent describing their use.   

Photo Work Sample or PowerPoint Slides Presentation of Planning and Teaching

Photographs document work with a particular student, which illustrates an example of a highlighted knowledge or skill statement(s). Photos may also include specific teaching or intervention materials that are designed to support the student or client. 

All photographs of students or clients must include written parental and/or participant informed consent describing their use. 

Timeline and Themes for Artifacts

The O&M candidate gathers 7 distinct artifacts or work samples across all 4 practicum courses.  The minimum number of artifacts and examples of potential artifacts for consideration are described below. Some artifacts are work products that are created as a part of the structured practicum assignments. University supervisors provide structured feedback on each artifact sample as a part of their role each term of the practicum. O&M Cooperating Professionals have the option of giving feedback at the invitation of the O&M student, who gives the professional access to the ePortfolio workbook.

It is important to remember that artifacts do not need to be extensive to be effective at demonstrating competencies and for reflecting on your practice.

Artifact Review and Feedback

University Supervisors that have been assigned to work with O&M Candidates and O&M Cooperating Professionals use the O&M Artifact Rubric that is embedded in the Candidate’s e-portfolio workbook to offer formal feedback and suggestions on the practicum products created by candidates.