Online Course Activities

This is an online course, set up to facilitate your self-directed exploration of Implementing K-12 ePortfolios with GoogleApps. We have provided a beginning set of resources for you to begin your exploration, with or without a hands-on workshop.

Self-directed learning does not mean learning in isolation. With a variety of tools available to facilitate professional learning and dialogue, you have a variety of choices to explore these ideas:

• 1. Self-paced and Collaborative: Collaborate with a fellow teacher in your school or district. Go through the lessons together and develop your implementation plan as a team. Discuss ideas in a free Google Group (email). [Free]

  2. Facilitated course: Sign up for online class (can also be approved through school district or local university). [course fee]

  3. - A private educational social network will be set up to facilitate course communication and small group activities.

  4. - Discussions held through Google+ Circles & Hangouts, schedule announced in shared group.

  5. Schedule an online audio/video conference with Dr. Barrett (for your school or planning committee). (One hour per school included with course registration)[Hourly fee]

  6. Schedule a one- or two-day face-to-face workshop with Dr. Barrett in your school or district. [Daily fee + travel expenses - includes course fees for planning committee]

Key Knowledge & Skills

• • Implementing the portfolio development process to support deep learning

  • Supporting student metacognition/reflection in an online portfolio;

  • Clear purpose for implementing the portfolio development process;

  • Use Google tools in electronic portfolio development process

Requirements for Course/Evidence of Learning

• 1. Reflection in weekly blog/reflective journal (using WordPress.com or blogger.com as your reflective journal and learning portfolio), summarizing your learning for each lesson.

  2. Maintain a record of classroom resources used to support student reflection.

  3. Progress report on implementing vision statement and implementation plan*.

  4. URLs with link to plan and example of student framework with collecting/presenting digital evidence.

  5. Participate in weekly discussions, in either Google Group email discussions or Google+ Circles (written posts & responses) and/or Hangouts (live video).

You will emerge at the end of this class with an increased awareness and understanding of how to implement electronic portfolios with your students, and also support your own lifelong and life-wide learning. Those participants not taking the facilitated course are also encouraged to keep the journal and develop the Implementation Plan*.

*Alternative for Implementation Plan: If you are not involved in implementing ePortfolios with students, you may substitute these planning activities with developing your own professional portfolio. There will be Alternative suggestions for each lesson under the Planning activities.