Imagine a world where teachers and students embark on a journey of continuous growth and reflection, where learning transcends the classroom walls, and where the power of ePortfolios becomes a beacon of innovation. Welcome to my ePortfolio professional development, where the question isn't why you should use ePortfolios in your classroom, but how!

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Why? - When deciding on effective professional development for my district, I wanted to give our teachers a tool that they could use with their students to give "Choice, Ownership, and Voice through an Authentic Learning tool" COVA. The "why" behind creating a professional learning course to teach teachers how to implement ePortfolios into their curriculum is a holistic approach to skill development. It empowers students to showcase not only their technical skills but also the soft skills that make them stand out in the workforce. In our district, we believe that real-world relevance is a powerful motivator. We want our students to see the direct connection between what they learned in the classroom and its application in their future careers. An ePortfolio is a tangible connection!

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What? - This professional learning explains how teachers can implement ePortfolios in the Classroom. It is designed to empower teachers with the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate ePortfolios into their educational practice. Eportfolios are a powerful tool for assessment, reflection, and showcasing student work. This course offers a comprehensive approach to ongoing support, guidance, and modeling to ensure successful implementation.

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How? -​ The "Implementing ePortfolios in the Classroom" professional development course discusses the effectiveness of using ePortfolios which are a powerful tool for assessment, reflection, and showcasing student work. This course offers a comprehensive approach to ongoing support, guidance, and modeling to ensure successful implementation.​​

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• Course Objectives:

1. Understand the concept and purpose of ePortfolios in education.

2. Learn to select the appropriate ePortfolio platform and tools.

3. Design effective ePortfolio assessment strategies.

4. Create a structured plan for ePortfolio implementation in the classroom.

5. Provide ongoing support and guidance for students in developing their ePortfolios.

6. Reflect on the impact of ePortfolios on teaching and learning.

7. Share best practices and collaborate with fellow educators.

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• Duration:

  • ​Provide extended and ongoing training: Offer training sessions and workshops over an extended period rather than just a one-time event. This allows teachers to absorb information, practice, and reflect on their learning.

  • Encourage continuous learning: Support teachers in accessing additional resources, webinars, or communities where they can continue to learn about ePortfolios.

• Support:

  • Offer mentoring and coaching: Assign experienced ePortfolio educators to mentor and provide one-on-one support to teachers as they implement ePortfolios in their classrooms.

  • Create a support network: Establish a professional learning community where teachers can share experiences, challenges, and solutions with their peers.

• Engagement:

  • Interactive Learning: Use active learning strategies, group discussions, and hands-on activities to engage teachers during the training sessions.

  • Encourage peer collaboration: Incorporate collaborative projects or activities where teachers can work together to create sample ePortfolios and give each other feedback.

• Modeling:

  • Demonstrate best practices: Showcase effective ePortfolios and how they align with curriculum goals. This can be done through sample ePortfolios or case studies.

  • Provide examples: Offer templates, rubrics, and guidelines for creating ePortfolios, and show teachers how to use them effectively.

• Specific and Applicable:

  • Customize the training: Tailor the content to the teachers' needs and the specific grade levels and subject areas they teach. Ensure the training aligns with the teachers' existing knowledge and skills.

  • Focus on practical application: Encourage teachers to apply what they've learned by creating their own ePortfolios or integrating them into their lesson plans during the training.

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So, are you ready to embark on this ePortfolio PL journey? The question isn't why you should use ePortfolios in your classroom, but rather, how you can transform your teaching and inspire your students on an ongoing, engaging, and model-driven path of continuous growth.

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When creating this presentation, I wanted to tell a story. I thought of the children's "Once upon a time" introduction and wrote my script in Google Docs based on what my district's goals are. I then used the Voice Memos app on my phone to record. I then decide to use canva due to the ease of creation. The hardest part was finding creating the video and finding the right clips to fit. I look forward to delving deeper into this PL with you. 

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Click on the link to view my ePortfolio PL outline.

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References:

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Gulamhussein, A. (2013, September) Teaching_Effective_Professional_Developmt.pdf. Dropbox. https://www.dropbox.com/s/j13c5mk092kmqv9/Teaching_Effective_Professional_Developmt.pdf?dl=0

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Harapnuik, D. (2018). COVA. It's About Learning. Retrieved October 18, 2023, from https://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991

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Thomas, D., & Brown, J. S. (2011). A new culture of learning: Cultivating the imagination for a world of constant change.

Lexington, KY: CreateSpace.

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