ED SEC 695 Portfolios
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Reflective Working E-Portfolios | Paper Portfolios | Reflections | Portfolio Presentations

The culminating project for this semester will be the creation of two forms of a professional portfolio. A portfolio is one example of an authentic product by which your competence can be judged. One form will be paper-based and will be a presentation portfolio. The other will be in electronic form (Web-based) and will be a reflective working portfolio. You will turn in both portfolios at the end of ED SEC 695 for a grade, receive feedback, and then resubmit for ED JHM 512. Think of this portfolio as a "living" document that changes as your professional career does. You will find as you engage in portfolio development that you will gain a much clearer picture of yourself as an emerging professional. Your portfolio will provide a record of growth over time in relation to selected standards.

Reflective Working Electronic Portfolio (200 points)
The primary purpose of the digital portfolio is as a cumulative and on-going reflection of your progress and readiness in learning to teach. You will reflect on and document your development as teachers in relation to each of the ten INTASC standards. For every INTASC standard, you will include artifacts that demonstrate you have met this principle. An artifact is tangible evidence of knowledge that is gained, skills that are mastered, values that are clarified, or dispositions and attitudes that are characteristic of you. Artifacts cannot prove the attainment of knowledge, skills or dispositions, but they provide indicators of achieved competence. An artifact may document more than one standard. At first you will collect many artifacts at first. Later, artifacts will be selectively placed within each of the standards.
     Include a rationale for each artifact in your portfolio. Write a brief statement explaining your justification for including this artifact in the portfolio for this particular standard. Be specific about showcasing your abilities. Do not simply summarize the document. Think about answering these questions with each rationale:

  1. What is the artifact?
  2. Why is it filed under this standard?
  3. What does it say about my growing competence?
  4. What are my strengths and weaknesses in relation to this standard?
Standards that are not well documented by your artifacts will become evident as you gather materials. Keep your standards in mind as you take other courses or participate in professional activities. For this first round of evaluation, the technical requirements are:
  1. Published index page (25 points)
  2. Your picture or other graphic inserted (25 points)
  3. Links to resume and philosophy (25 points)
  4. Content area links (25 points)
  5. INTASC section with reflections and artifacts (see below)

See this sample. Excerpts taken from Campbell (et al). (2001). How to Develop a Professional Portfolio: A Manual for Teachers. Allyn and Bacon.

Your Paper Portfolio (100 points)
As you move through various stages of your professional career, documents in your professional portfolio will change. Some documents are beneficial at any stage. At the beginning of your portfolio, include important documents that serve as an introduction. Think of the portfolio as ongoing documentation of your professional development and promise as well as preparation for getting a job! Remember that all entries should be very clear as to the purpose or should be documented as to purpose. You should include a brief description of the artifact for the reader. Your portfolio should include three sections and its overall appearance should

  • be organized for quick scanning
  • provide metareflective details available if needed
  • sends a message that you are organized
  • be professional
Section One: Background Information
  • Letter of introduction
  • Philosophy of education
  • Updated resume
Section Two: Evidence of Teaching Performance
  • Yorktown High School
  • Delta Middle School
  • Other educational settings
  • Lesson/unit planning [lesson plan, student artifacts, reflection, highlight how one student interacted with your lesson(s)]
  • Varieties of teaching strategies
  • Assessment skills
  • Ability to work with diverse needs
  • Ability to work with diverse cultures
  • Classroom management
  • Student artifacts
  • Use of technology for teaching and learning
Section Three: Evidence of Others' Appraisals
  • Supervisor evaluations
  • Evidence of commitment to teaching
  • Career goals
  • Continued professional development plans
  • Professional organizations
  • Writing samples

Reflections (50 points, x 2)
At two different times during ED SEC 695, you will write a reflection on your understanding of the INTASC standards. This will include a narrative of your understanding along with at least one artifact that you feel documents the standard. The first is due January 26, 2001. The second set is due February 28 and March 2, 2001. You will keep both sets of reflections and will refer to the first set of reflections when you write the second.

Portfolio Presentation (100 points)
The last week each class (ED SEC 695 and ED JHM 512) you will present your portfolio to the class. You will explain the portfolio process, your artifacts, and experiences as you answer questions from the audience. We will talk more about how to prepare for this presentation.