Implementing the ePortfolio Benefits, challenges, answers, and how to succeed at implementation and institutionalization. Susan Kahn Indiana University

Implementing the ePortfolioImplementing the ePortfolio

Benefits, challenges, answers, and how to succeed at implementation and institutionalization.

Susan KahnIndiana University Purdue University at Indianapolis (IUPUI)

Judith Kirkpatrick University of Hawai`i, Kapi`olani Community College

Yves LabissierePortland State University

4/17/08WASC ARC Conference

Understand the Understand the Benefits for StudentsBenefits for StudentsePortfolios:Teach reflection, analysis, and integrate

learning across the full educational experience Integrate knowledge and experienceAssist with management of educational and

professional recordsProvide a place to maintain a catalog of

accomplishments over time Prepare for career selection and the job searchEnhance self-esteem and confidence


UnderstandUnderstandBenefits to faculty and Benefits to faculty and administratorsadministrators

Course-level assessment for student learning

Program-level assessment for student learning and accreditation

Enhanced student-faculty relationships

Improved advisementEnhanced professional developmentStreamlined contract renewal


Understand Benefits Understand Benefits of ePortfolios for various of ePortfolios for various audiencesaudiences

Parents—a window into their children’s education by providing an opportunity to:

◦ View learning presentations and products

◦ Share more directly in experiences like study abroad and service learning

Employers—a resume-enhancing tool that provides critical information about applicant skills and learning

Faculty—colleagues exchange information and feedback about research, teaching, committee work, and service

Programs—a means to assess programs, learning outcomes, and enhance the transcript


Anticipate Challenges Anticipate Challenges for ePortfolio Usefor ePortfolio Use

Limited faculty and student time and energy

Lack of funding Lack of understanding of

the value of ePortfolios in enhancing student learning

The willingness of faculty and administrators to promote the ePortfolio and matrix thinking

The need for faculty and students to develop the skills to use ePortfolio

Inadequate technological resources and support

Fear of technology Resistance to change Educating ePortfolio

audiences for viewing


Answers to ChallengesAnswers to Challenges Time and Energy: ePortfolios use the same time for

more benefit by empowering students to:

◦ Document their own educational and professional progress

◦ Get the feedback they want and need

◦ Become more self-directed in their learning

Money: Once implemented, ongoing costs are minimized if you adopt an open source solution (i.e. SAKAI or MOODLE)

Value of Reflection: Reflective analysis improves everyone’s learning through promoting higher level thinking


More answers to More answers to challengeschallenges Skills: The software is easy; the habit of documenting

and reflecting upon one’s learning is more difficult

Fear of technology: ePortfolio, if set up right, is a user-friendly technology

Resistance to change: Matrix and folio thinking necessitates new ways of thinking about teaching and learning

Educating ePortfolio audiences: encouraging opportunities for academic, community and family interface (internships, service learning, study abroad) helps train ePortfolio users in soliciting and preparing comments that can guide viewers feedback


Campus Implementation Campus Implementation Venues Can Include Venues Can Include

Student Development◦ Admission, Student orientation◦ Advisement

Assessment of Learning at the Course, Program and Professional Certification

Institutional Assessment Learning Beyond the Classroom

◦ Study Abroad◦ Co-Curricular Activities, Service or

Experiential Learning ◦ Career Development


Suggestions for Campus Suggestions for Campus ActivitiesActivities

Initiate conversations among faculty, administrators, and students about◦ Benefits of ePortfolios◦ Challenges to ePortfolio use

Provide hands-on learning about ePortfolios through◦ Faculty & student orientation sessions◦ Master student classes and first year seminars◦ General education courses◦ Advisement◦ Faculty development◦ Faculty contract and/or tenure documents

Provide resources for pilots in various campus programs


Motivate FacultyMotivate Faculty Reward faculty for implementing ePortfolios with:

◦ Release time◦ Summer institutes or retreats◦ Small grants from institutional money◦ Assistance in seeking external grants◦ Showcasing effective faculty portfolio use

Encourage faculty to develop their own to learn and model ePortfolio use

Demonstrate how ePortfolios can streamline faculty workload by:◦ Decreasing paper flow◦ Minimizing lost assignments◦ Assisting with assignment review & feedback◦ Improving assessment of student learning◦ Enhancing benefits already present in a course

management system4/17/08WASC ARC Conference

Demonstrate to Demonstrate to AdministratorsAdministratorsEmphasize the Flexibility and Possibilities Strengthening and streamlining the advisement process Providing students with view access to their student

records Encouraging students to document and appreciate their learning in and beyond the classroom Developing and accessing data on learning assessment Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration in curriculum

development Developing and submitting contract/promotion and

tenure files Streamlining applications for grants and awards


Get students to use themGet students to use them

Enhancement of self-esteem by◦ Becoming aware of how much & how deeply one has

learned◦ Being able to demonstrate one's progress to faculty,

peers, family, & employers Improved learning outcomes through

◦ Additional scaffolding and incorporation of standards◦ Enhanced feedback from faculty and peers◦ Increased learning, creativity, and control◦ Integration of learning in and outside of the classroom◦ Recognition of learning relevance to the real world◦ Better positioning for career choice and job search

Enhancing ability to apply for a academic and co-curricular opportunity


How to SucceedHow to SucceedBegin small

◦ With pilot groups Specific colleges, programs, or activities Cohorts of students

◦ By discipline◦ By year or semester

Expand as demand builds◦ Incrementally by adding units, activities,

or cohorts◦ Include as many common interest groups

as possible


Promoting ePortfolio Promoting ePortfolio ThinkingThinking

Academia values the creation, organization, and refinement of knowledge

Matrix/Folio thinking gets to the heart of these academic values

Through reflective analysis and ePortfolio development, students define and refine their relationship to knowledge and develop habits that sustain their collection that best represents their academic preparation

Folio thinking promotes deep learning through◦ Organization◦ Reflective analysis◦ Evaluation◦ Creative manipulation of information


ePortfolios Provide ePortfolios Provide Opportunities for Curricular Opportunities for Curricular CoherenceCoherence

Integrative Learning and Reflection

Synthesis and AnalysisCo-curricular and Extra-

curricular learningMaking sense out of the

college process


Provide Incentive for Provide Incentive for ColleaguesColleagues

Employ value motivators, note frustration points, and use strategic thinking to encourage ePortfolios

Demonstrate the educational value and benefits that can be obtained from implementing ePortfolios and matrix/folio thinking in the classroom

Showcase faculty and students who have gained new enthusiasm for teaching and learning through ePortfolio use. It will happen.


Example: How would you Example: How would you document today’s workshop for document today’s workshop for your ePortfolio?your ePortfolio?

The ePortfolio database procedure◦ Fill out a form with the basics, when, where,

why◦ Upload accompanying notes, plans, things you

would like to remember ◦ Connect your form with your notes◦ Present information to colleagues, deans,

administrators, via emailed links/announcements or even put the presentation as a permanent link on your website


Develop flexible policiesDevelop flexible policies

Example:The ePortfolio system is available for

anyone affiliated with our CollegeThe ePortfolio system is a value-

added opportunity for our CollegeThe ePortfolio system is free for users.This is a model. It’s not the only

model, but it works. Plan for people to use it over time and

over lifelong learning.


Documents

Implementing the ePortfolio Benefits, challenges, answers, and how to succeed at implementation and institutionalization. Susan Kahn Indiana University