Each candidate will produce a professional electronic portfolio as the capstone experience to their degree program. It will be a combination of forward thinking reflections and scrapbook artifacts. The portfolio will exude student work and showcase technology's role in student learning.
The University hopes this experience will lead to a teaching lifestyle of continued learning and a growing perfection in the practice of teaching. For the University's sake however, the portfolio will share a common frame for all and consider April 2002 as marking the final institutional inspection.
- FAQ -
What is the role of my professional electronic portfolio?
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It
is a tool to help author your own learning. |
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It
is a framework for reflection. |
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It
will spawn an atmosphere of collegial discourse. |
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It
is a showcase for your achievement. |
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It
is the means by which you complete the project/thesis. |
How is my portfolio developed?
Development begins summer session 2001. The development process consists of:
| Monthly sharpening sessions among a team of peers (fall/spring) |
| Regular reflections on your teaching practice in light of the six California Standards for the Teaching Profession (CSTP) |
| Essential questions that personalize the reflection and guide the artifact collection. |
| Carefully selected artifacts that illustrate these standards and lead toward growth in them. |
| A personal Web site that organizes the artifacts and reflections. |
What is a sharpening session?
Proverbs 27:17 states, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Each candidate will be a part of a regular team of peers. During these sessions, each candidate will bring forth at least three carefully selected artifacts based on their essential question related to at least one CSTP. Each candidate will lead the dialogue with explanation of their artifacts and an invitation of discourse on each one. Candidates will be expected to carry the conversation for at least 30 minutes. Sharpening sessions will be 3-4 hours in length with greetings, discourse, and stretch breaks.
What is an essential question?
An essential process of any portfolio is goal setting. Essential questions are used to help you bring focus to the selection of your artifacts. These questions are forward thinking and in concert with the six CSTP. They support the view that careful experimentation leads to teaching mastery. Examples may include:
| How can technology prompt students to author their own learning? (CSTP 1.3) |
| What can I do to my classroom that would incite learning? (CSTP 2.1) |
| What outstanding Internet resources can support my geography unit? (CSTP 3.5) |
| I need a new poetry unit, where can I connect technology? (CSTP 4.3) |
| How can I use technology as an assessment tool? (CSTP 5.4) |
| Many of my parents have expressed interest in learning about the Internet, how can I support their interest? (CSTP 6.4) |
How are the teams composed?
Each team is composed of 3-5 candidates along with one or more consultants (Scott, Marty, Glenn, STEPSS coaches, FPU faculty). Each member of the team is on equal footing. As a team, we are one for all ... all for one.
How often will these sessions occur?
There will be eight monthly meetings from September 2001 - April 2002 calendared in advance for the entire year. VISTAS meetings will begin at 4:00 PM held in the Visalia Learning Center.
How should I approach these sessions as a candidate?
Our work with cognitive coaching and our book study on portfolios has given us the right perspective. It is important that we approaching each session with anticipation to reflect on our teaching and to invite feedback from our peers. Be honest, humble, curious, thirsty to learn.
How should I approach these sessions as a team member?
We are the cognitive coach. Our burden is to listen, seek clarification, be sensitively honest, challenge and invite reflection.
What is an artifact?
An artifact is a carefully selected event that directly connects to a CSTP. Examples may include:
| Photograph of learning (static / active) |
| Sample of student work |
| Conversation (audio or transcript) |
| Interview (audio or transcript) |
| Lesson plan/activity delivered |
How are the artifacts prepared for the sharpening sessions?
Each candidate is expected to bring at least three artifacts to each monthly session. A written annotation should accompany each artifact and be copied for each team member. The annotation should include:
| what - 1-5 sentences clearly describing the artifact and its connection to one or more CSTP as well as the connection of this artifact to how our student's learn (except #6). |
| so what - Several well constructed paragraphs that provide context and analysis; why was it chosen and what it so significant about it. How does it connect with any essential question. |
What is an Artifact Invitation?
Each candidate will form a question to the team that invites feedback on their artifact. After you present the artifact, you carry the burden to invite feedback. The feedback brings confirmation and clarification to the artifact. It brings forward common language and stirs us to examine your practice. Essentially, it's the what's next write up.
What is a post session reflection?
Following each sharpening session, you are to check your compass. Write "out loud" one or more raw paragraphs for each artifact that summarize the team's feedback on the artifact and its impact on your current thinking. You should also comment on future applications or implications.
What is the e-folio frame?
The opening page should include:
| Current flattering photograph (airbrush is optional) |
| Well constructed paragraph giving an overview of the project. |
| Link to resume (word document) |
| Link to technology proficiencies (VISTAS spring 2001) |
| Link to learning theory (word document fall 2001) |
| Link to each CSTP page, though it may not be developed. |
What does each CSTP page contain?
| Brief overview of the standard with telling photo. |
| Link to introduction paper that outlines your personal understanding of the standards (one introduction paper is to be a 15-25 page research paper (due July 27), the other five introduction papers should be a 2-4 page discussion on the same subject including a technology related description of practice (DOP)). |
| Links to at least one artifact for each standard. Each artifact includes the what, so what, what's next. |
What are the required artifacts?
| Technology-viable curriculum unit (viable refers to the essential nature of the technology being used; a better tool than traditional means. Topic by August, development in fall) |
| CVCUE presentation (November 3rd) |
| CyberQuest experience (November 11th) |
Who is the audience to my electronic portfolio?
The portfolio is a personal experience. It's main purpose is to promote deep seated individual growth. As such, the CSTP section of your Web site will be password protected. Pages can be viewed only by your permission and the directors.
Is there an example of an electronic portfolio I can refer to?
Not a good one but you can look at mine along the way Scott Smith
What is are the details of the15-25 research paper?
| Deadline - Email Scott (VISTAS) or Marty (Tulare) the candidate's URL of posted document by July 27th. |
| Content - Discuss at length the meaning of one CSTP and technology's role in this standard. Include a technology-rich DOP for each sub standard as it applies or could apply to your setting. |
| Collaboration - You are required to write the paper in your own words but use ideas and resources from others in the group. Feel free to set up e-mail groups or arrange face to face meetings as needed. |
| Sources - The paper must contain references from at least 15 different pieces of work respected in the learning community. Use the many books and magazines you have read in the past two years. Other sources could include Web sites, conference speakers, newspapers. |
| Format - Follow APA style (author, year, page); bibliography at the end; footer with page # & month/year; header with title & name; 1" margins, double spaced, times roman font. |
What are the details of the learning theory paper?
Details about the details are not yet detailed. More to come in the fall.
Whose team am I on?
Teams to be determined by your project director (Scott-VISTAS, Glenn/Marty - Tulare)
When do I get help with my Web site?
| Tulare (June 11-15; TCOE) |
| VISTAS (June 8th; VLC) |
When do I start?
You already have.
When do I finish?
Finish? There is no finish ... but we do graduate on Saturday, May 4th @ 2:00 PM.