In this module, the learning outcomes are:
to establish the purpose of a class / subject digital portfolio.
to reflect on the benefits of this resource and
to consider the planning and design elements of an online space.
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Have you heard these words from parents or learners: "I never received the information" or "I didn't know what to do!? How often have you raised your hands in frustration at communication that was never received? Despite your school-level communication, it has been difficult to provide classroom-level communication. Not anymore! Technology is here to help each teacher in the classroom. And you do not need a web designer to create a website or know Python; you can do it yourself. But let's start with the benefits of a class/subject digital portfolio.
THE BENEFITS OF A CLASS / SUBJECT DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
THE BENEFITS OF A CLASS / SUBJECT DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
EASE OF COMMUNICATION
With a class/subject digital portfolio, you can direct learners to check the website for valuable information related to the class. This asynchronous communication helps you to communicate with your parents. All the information for a class is at the disposal of learners and their parents and requires teachers to share the information just once.
BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY
The thing is, though, parents want to know. They want to know what their child is learning. They want to know about their child’s activities and progress. You can foster that engagement by making it easy to access the information.
A classroom website gives parents a direct connection to the classroom. They can see videos of class projects. They can read about special assignments. They can see pictures of big achievements. That interaction can help parents become more involved in their child’s learning.
This anywhere, anytime access to class / subject information encourages more engagement by parents and students, which is good for building a stronger student support system.
GETTING TO KNOW YOU
A class / subject digital portfolio allows you to show a little of yourself - your vibe and your personality. You build relationships with your learners by giving insight into who you are.
EFFICIENCY & CLARITY FOR LEARNERS
Learners gain access to many more curriculum resources. By placing those hyperlinks to relevant resources on the digital portfolio, teachers can speed up access to materials and increase all students' access to high-quality curriculum materials that directly support content. Learning becomes more available.
THE PURPOSE OF A CLASS / SUBJECT DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
THE PURPOSE OF A CLASS / SUBJECT DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
Now you have read about the benefits of a class / subject digital portfolio, don't you think we have answered the question of purpose? 🧐 The purpose of a class / subject digital portfolio is to have a virtual space where learners can go.
They know what subjects they have because of the timetable on the front page.
If they have read, they know the lesson's focus, the materials they need, and the instructions to follow.
This space helps with a flipped classroom approach. It is a place where files can be shared with students, as can YouTube videos (embedded in; no links!), questionnaires, links to relevant content and more.
PLANNING A CLASS / SUBJECT DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
PLANNING A CLASS / SUBJECT DIGITAL PORTFOLIO
You might think you know exactly what your digital portfolio site should look like, but do you? Planning is still an important step. If you plan your site, constructing it will be much easier.
Think about the following and consider your needs, requirements and imagination:
What are the components or "pages" of information you want to share with your learners?
What do you communicate regularly to your parents?
How will you bring "you" into the site?
Watch this video to help you plan your class/subject digital portfolio. Although this video refers to creating a more complex website, the process remains the same.
Has this ever happened? You know, you sit down to jot down what your digital portfolio should consist of, and **blank**?
Here is a list of possible elements you could incorporate into your digital portfolio:
Contact information
A list of classroom rules
Video resources or handouts
A class calendar with important dates
School news and class announcements
Homework assignments, due dates and rubrics
Information on academics and grading standards
Learning resources and commonly used websites
“About the teacher” bios so students can get to know you
Class photos
Bios for any educational assistants, teaching partners or other staff in your classroom
A blog for your teaching thoughts, lesson summaries or anything else your students will find useful.
Since July 2021, Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) compliance has come in effect. Remember this Act and your school privacy policy when creating a digital portfolio.
Explore the WCED's POPIA template.
circ2_22 - PRIVACY POLICY OF (INSERT THE NAME OF THE SCHOOL).pdfPRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE DESIGN
PRINCIPLES OF EFFECTIVE DESIGN
Part of planning your class / subject digital portfolio is to consider the visual design of your class / subject digital portfolio.
Visual communication helps the audience understand the information. It increases the comprehension of the subject matter. You need to consider how it looks (being creative) but also how the digital portfolio functions.
Hey, we are doing a cross-curricular project with Visual Arts!
When you write your content, keep it brief, and stick to what’s important. Too much info can be distracting, and the essential stuff can get lost. Remember to communicate with clarity and precision (Growth mindset habit)
Put the fun in functional with organized sections, streamlined information, and resources for students and parents to access anywhere. Of course, cute fonts and pretty colours are also a must!
Make it work for your unique classroom.
Keep it up to date! Even the sleekest classroom website is useless if you don’t regularly refresh the information and make sure it has everything students need.
If you want extra student security, many websites offer tools to ensure your website won’t appear in search results and only students or families with the link can access it.
ACCESSIBILITY
ACCESSIBILITY
Students in the same classroom learn in different ways. To support all students, we need to meet the needs of every student, including those barriers to learning. POUR is a framework to work with when you create your digital portfolio.
https://blogs.libraries.indiana.edu/redux/2018/06/13/understanding-the-4-principles-of-accessibility/
Use your class/ subject digital portfolio to ensure students can access the necessary resources. Don’t make pages crowded with text or information; make sure light or dark text is appropriately contrasting.
Take careful note of the web design principles; you must keep these principles in mind throughout the course!
We hope you now understand a digital portfolio and the types, advantages and design elements you must consider. In the next module, we will introduce you to the digital portfolio tool you will use to make communication more effective within your ecosystem. Still, first, there is a small matter of Module 1 Task.
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