The word “Yet” is very important in our growth process. It means that we are achieving growth, but our learning is not quite finished.
Earlier this week I read Mindset by Carol Dweck. This book challenged a lot of my prior thoughts and teaching methods. I have been teaching for a little over 4 years and have always researched the best practices to keep my students engaged and involved in their own academic journey. As a high school teacher this task becomes tough, because after each assignment I give I have students craving to know their results immediately. They want to stay in a certain percentile and achieve their desired GPA, which drives them to rush through assignments just for the “Grade”. They want that A or B so bad that they are not interested in the actual assignment and learning that is taking place. Dweck even says, , “First of all, we can praise wisely, not praising intelligence or talent. That has failed. Don’t do that anymore. But praising the process that kids engage in: their effort, their strategies, their focus, their perseverance, their improvement. This process praise creates kids who are hardy and resilient.”
The word “Yet” is life changing.
What is so Important about the word Yet?
By using the word “Yet” and “Not Yet” we will begin changing their mindset. This will make the feedback process positive because students will be rewarded overtime for their strategies, preserverance and endeavors. Students will hopefully beging focusing on their individual growth, rather than just getting an “A”.
The word “Yet” means that students are progressing and improving over time. It lets students know that being successful will take time and hardwork. It wont always be an over night process or immediate results.
Whenever a student does not get the “A” or “B’ that they are expecting the word ‘Yet” lets hem know that they are still growing and improving. “Yet” is a key tool in adopting a growth mindset.
As Educators we must change our Vocabulary in the Classroom, to achieve Growth.
My main goal is for my students and myself to adopt a growth mind set. In order to do this I will be using E-portfolios to measure our individual growth.
I have done an adequate amount of research, which involves my plan for E-portfolios and my students. The Google drive link below is open and available to anyone who is interested in reading about my plan.
During my duration of the program I decided to spend my time focusing on the benefits of ePortfolios in my classroom. I was able to find out an extreme amount of resources and information that assisted in helping me launch my innovation plan for my campus/classroom.
Here are the things that I have accomplished so far:
Self-directed Learning
Innovation plan
Organizational change strategy
Learning Theory Foundation
Significant Learning Environment
Instructional Design/Backward Design
Measurement strategy
Online/Blended course
Paper/Presentation
ePortfolio
Personal Learning Network
M. Ed. Digital Learning & Leading
My Presentation based on my Learning
All of my learning in the program will help me become a better educator to my students. The classroom is a place to experiment and push boundaries. Taking our learning to the next level and intertwining our classroom activities with technology will increase our critical thinking skills.
Sometimes in life we have to take ourselves out of our comfort zones to excel. This program taught me that. Now I find myself yearning for growth and wanting to achieve more in my career and education.
The Importance of having a Growth Mindset
Dweck defines a growth mindset as: “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment[.]”
Works Cited
Citation. Dweck, C. S.(2006).Mindset: The new psychology of success.
My innovation project as a whole has been going extremely well. This is something that I want to execute next year and the years to come. I have really enjoyed exploring technology and ePortfolios for the past year. I have gotten a lot better at creating and maintaining my own personal ePortfolio. I have added interesting articles and discussed topics that appeal to educators. I have also added all of the content on my twitter, which I have been using as a Professional Learning Network.
I have actually already rolled out my innovation project to my students. We are using our ePortfolios to measure our writing growth. I want them to see their gains in English. We have been using Weebly for our ePortfolios because it is free and the easiest to navigate. My personal ePortfolio is located on WordPress, but WordPress is costly for some of my students.
There are several more steps involved in my innovation plan. Eventually, I want the students to have different examples of their essays in their ePortfolio, this will help them in their future English classes and even in their higher education career. So far they have posted two of their narratives, after they were taken through the entire writing process. After the essays were revised and edited. This is also helpful for the students to reference in order to prepare for the English EOC and college admission essays.
There was a study done by Zeigner and Andrade on how ePortfolios can assist with increasing management, planning and organization.
“The objective of this study was to examine the extent to which team ePortfolios helped students develop skills related to the major managerial functions—planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. While research exists regarding the value of ePortfolios and also the value of teamwork generally, it has not focused on how team ePortfolios involving collaboration on artifact creation and reflection on team processes can help students develop employer-valued skills.”(Andrade & Zeigner).
My innovation project has forced me to think outside of the box and increased my critical thinking skills. What worked was me not being afraid of failure. Staying true to my ideas and being organized was one of the biggest things that helped in my success.
While it is currently ongoing and not all the way completed. I think it has been a learning experience. It has taught me patience and perseverance because it was not a project that could be done overnight, it took time. I also had to walk my students through the process. Although they are good with technology, this was a new concept for them.
Now that I can reflect on my innovation plan, a few of my improvements include adding more professional edited videos to my presentations. I would like to learn more about iMovie and Adobe, so I can increase my knowledge and navigate through them easier. I want to eventually be able to make sophisticated and professional videos.
Some of the lessons I have learned are the importance of understanding trial and error. Sometimes when we try new things our plans will not always work out how we want it. This is actually okay because it teaches us lessons for the next time. I have realized that my innovation plan process has improved entirely since I began working on it the first semester. My thoughts are now more clear and organized. I am also not afraid of failure.
I am promoting my innovation plan through my professional learning networks, through my colleagues and also my district. I will also showcase my students’ ePortfolios in professional development, so other colleagues can see the positive effects of ePortfolios. I will also project my personal ePortfolio to them as well. I personally think ePortfolios are good for everyone to have.
Next time I am going to execute my innovation plan a lot sooner, because it’s a timely project. My innovation plan involved very thorough planning and some of my executions did not go as planned. I need more time. I am currently still working on the innovation plan and Graduate School is coming to an end. But it is fine, because I know how to create an innovation plan that works!
Cited Sources Andrade, M., & Zeigner, S. (2021). Team ePortfolios in Management Education: Insights into Students’ Skill Development. E-Journal of Business Education and Scholarship of Teaching, 15(1), 40–54.
COVA is extremely important to me as a teacher. As I have been in my Master’s program for the past 2 years I have been exercising COVA in my approach when I am working with my kids and also when I am working with my colleagues. I encourage my students to take ownership of their own futures by being innovative in the classroom. I use innovative practices in my classroom daily. My students also use technology to help promote their learning. The COVA framework has the ability to transform and impact our learning environment. Being able to have choice, ownership, voice and authentic learning opportunities helps my students take charge of their own academic journey.
My main goal is to prepare them for their future and instill in them to have a mindset that there are “endless possibilities” when it comes to their future. There is no “glass ceiling” that will prohibit them from reaching their goals. I am extremely passionate and dedicated to prepare my students for the “real world”. My goal is for them to be academically prepared and not be afraid to make mistakes during their growth process. I want them to recognize all of their small and large milestones, and appreciate all of their growth. My students will be to creating E-portfolios that will help them measure their growth. E-portfolios will give them the opportunity to look and reflect on their progress. This will be beneficial to my students as they enter higher education.
Creating my own authentic project has reminded me of the importance of autonomy and being creative.Being innovative and trying new concepts should be the way of life, especially when certain things are not working. In education we constantly have to modify/change our content, teaching methods and mindset. We have to maintain a growth mindset in order to advance and move forward. Although I was not prepared entering the course, I easily adjusted and began to not be afraid of the unknown. At times I can be afraid of perfection but during the pandemic and this time in my life I have come to realize that we can not control every outcome. But if we work hard, plan and collaborate with those around us, it could lead to BIG SUCCESS.
The work that I have been doing has been difficult at this time, but I have noticed that I am afraid to step outside of the box and voice my opinions and “things that work” in my classroom to my colleagues. I only hope to continue the momentum. It is always important to remind ourselves of our true “why”? New relationships and new practices are necessary. We also have to get to know our students to see how they learn and what their individual needs are. We need to know their interests, cultural backgrounds, social interests and things they are capable of. This will be the key to intertwining the COVA and CSLE approach.
The COVA approach has been transforming my learning. I will use the COVA framework to transform and impact our learning environment. Being able to have choice, ownership, voice and authentic learning opportunities will help students to take charge of their own academic journey. Harapnuik analyzed the COVA approach in the article DLL. It states, “In DLL the learner will not be asked to sit and get professional development but will be required to go and show what they have learned through the creation of their own authentic projects and learning ePortfolio.” My goal is to prepare them for their future and instill in them to have a mindset that there are “endless possibilities” when it comes to their future. There is no “glass ceiling” that will prohibit them from reaching their goals.
ePortfolios being used in Higher Education to promote College and Career Readiness
Incorporating E-portfolios into learning will benefit students and teachers in the classroom. Students will be able to use the E-Portfolios to monitor their growth and progress over time in all of their contents. The E-portfolios are easily accessible through computers, tablets or smartphones. They hold students accountable and put them in charge of their learning. E- portfolios will also help students gain a deeper understanding of learning and critical thinking skills. The E-portfolios are an innovative tool, because they help create a student centered classroom. It also keeps students engaged and helps teachers meet the students’ needs in real time. The evidence of learning is visible and students are able to access their accomplishments and assess the areas they need to improve in. Eportfolios allow teachers to gain a holistic view of how students are learning over time in school, they also encourage communication, track performance, and they can use them as a tool for planning.
Goals, Purpose and Vision:
Help learners develop new or deeper learning
Higher grades and Performance
Help learners develop a better sense of themselves as students and as individuals
Measure individual academic growth
Eportfolio will contain:
● A Variety of Files (text, media, pictures and videos)
● Evidence of learning
● Writing Samples throughout the year
● Projects
● Evidence of creativity and performance
● Extra Curricular activities and Leadership
● Data and Analysis
Eportfolio Benefits for College and Career Readiness:
Eportfolios will give educators a way to monitor student’s learning. Educators can use them to measure their growth throughout the year. Basken (2008) noted ePortfolios “are a way to generate learning as well as document learning” (pg. A30). By creating an Eportfolio and adding their projects, assignments and college plans this will help them keep track of their progress. When students are able to easily access their learning they gain accountability and responsibility. Jae-Eun Oh discussed the importance of Eportfolios in her article, “As students become key actors in leading their courses, it is necessary to have high-level intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. In the search to enhance student motivation.” This is true because students need to know their progress and growth in order to succeed. E-portfolios will help students gain the ability to connect. An ePortfolio can unite the learner’s experiences and display a professional, online identity to the employer. In addition to allowing the learner to demonstrate who they are to the professional world, utilizing ePortfolios in higher education challenges educators to provide more authentic learning experiences by connecting learning experiences to actual career goals (Reese & Levy, 2009). They can increase their connections by showcasing their achievements. Students will be able to quickly access the work they did well on. This will assist in preparing them for their future, because they will know the importance of creating goals. Primary and Secondary campuses all have one thing in common. They all work hard and endlessly to help students be successful. Eportfolios are extremely important to have in High schools, because students can use them as a resource for college. As Jae-Eun(2020), stated, extrinsic and intrinsic benefits that students will be able to achieve. They will be able to reach their personal goals and they will also be rewarded, because their future will be impacted positively. College and career readiness is an important factor at most high school’s. Students will upload essays, college plans, artwork and important information to their Eportfolios. College
essays are mandatory because they are dependent on a student’s future. Students will be able to share their progress and growth with colleges. These Eportfolios will also house their materials that they need to get into the schools that they apply for.
Rhode Island College did a study that involved using Eportfolios to assess career readiness. They utilized Portfolium, which is a platform where students can create E-portfolios. Around 8,500 students created Eportfolios that showcased their academic achievements and proved as evidence of learning. The College then used the artifacts to demonstrate their career readiness. Eportfolios were authentic examples of learning and competency. Regional Business News specified, “ePortfolios are free for life for students to carry evidence of their achievements and skills throughout the entire student lifecycle and beyond as alumni. As part of the student success platform, employers (including RIC’s own industry partners) will be able to match students’ evidence of skills directly to their desired job criteria, aligning K-12 and postsecondary pathways directly with workforce needs.” The use of Eportfolios will help students empower themselves and prepare for the future.
Eportfolios benefit students in higher education and college because of what they are able to do for students. Eportfolios can be used to highlight achievements in one’s academic journey. Scholarship opportunities, Internships, Extracurricular activities and Academic achievements can be showcased and even used for assistance with job placement. For college graduates, ePortfolios have proven to be effective vehicles when used to showcase higher education experiences and skills to outside audiences. In doing so, they provide a professional presence for the new graduate who is seeking not only a job, but also a career (Cambridge, 2010). In doing so, they provide a professional presence for the new graduate who is seeking not only a job, but also a career.” After college students want to enter the workforce and have to be able to show a record
of their accomplishments to compete for the position they desire. This is extremely important in today’s society, because of the competitiveness in major companies.
Who Owns the Eportfolio: Learning Management Systems( LMS) are owned and controlled by instructors that decide who is able to have access. They also decide what tools are accessible or restricted. On the other hand, students are in charge of their personal Eportfolio. Students can decide who can view the ePortfolio, and the information that is added, how it is created.
Publication Websites
I would like to submit my article to places like:
eLearn Magazine
ASDS Educational Leadership
TCEA Tech Edge Quarterly Magazine.
Edutopia
References
Cambridge, D. (2010). ePortfolios for lifelong learning and assessment. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.
Hattie J., Timperley H. The power of feedback. Rev. Educ. Res. 2007;77(1):81–112.
Horn, Michael B, and Heather Staker. Blended: Using Disruptive Innovation to Improve Schools. Jossey-Bass, 2014.
Jae-Eun Oh, Yuet Kai Chan, & Kyulee Viviane Kim. (2020). Social Media and E-Portfolios: Impacting Design Students’ Motivation Through Project-Based Learning. IAFOR Journal of Education, 8(3), 41–58. https://doi-org.libproxy.lamar.edu/10.22492/ije.8
My Big Idea and concept is utilizing ePortfolios on our school campus and hopefully other school districts as well. They will benefit our students by increasing college and career readiness.
Below is my Presentation on how ePortfolios can be an asset to any school campus.
This course taught me a lot about digital citizenship and how we can be better humans when in a virtual world. Technology is now a part of our everyday lives and when we are utilizing it, it is important to know how to be safe and responsible. Because we are using the internet to engage and connect with others, there are certain rules that should be followed as technology evolves. It was interesting to know about 9 themes of digital citizenship. I actually changed the language and went over the theme with my students. I had to make the language student friendly of course.
Access: full electronic participation in society.
Commerce: electronic buying and selling of goods.
Communication: electronic exchange of information.
Literacy: process of teaching and learning about technology and the use of technology.
Etiquette: electronic standards of conduct or procedure.
Law: electronic responsibility for actions and deeds.
Rights & Responsibilities: those freedoms extended to everyone in a digital world.
Health & Wellness: physical and psychological well-being in a digital technology world.
Security (self-protection): electronic precautions to guarantee safety.
My biggest accomplishment in the course is gaining more knowledge and how to be a better citizen online. I also learned the importance of knowing our online digital footprint. I actually took the time to research my first and last name on multiple search engines. Of course, the information I found was educational and business-related, so I was quite pleased to see the results. I was actually afraid that my proceeding divorce would appear, but luckily it did not.
This topic connects with what my students and I are doing every day because we are always using technology. We are also always using different online platforms to communicate with each other. In the course I was taught how to bring awareness to issues that could possibly appear in the virtual world. The most useful piece of information I learned in this course has to be digital footprints and how they can affect future employment. As I continue to grow and learn I want to be able to have more possible job opportunities.
The entire Masters Program has been helping me grow as a leader. I have been learning how to utilize more technology resources in my class. I have also been trying to teach other staff members the things that I have been learning. I really enjoyed the discussion posts and collaborating with other colleagues. To get the most out of the course it is important to keep up with assignments and be thorough with the work we complete. Have integrity and be intentional with the work we are involved in.
I am really enjoying the learning process that I have been enduring. Learning more about technology and portfolios will only increase student engagement and bring more innovation to our campus and district. I have also begun becoming accustomed to breaking out of my norms and being uncomfortably uncomfortable.
What worked for my plan to utilize eportfolios on campus was:
Essays
Posters
Photographs
Videos, and Artwork
We have been utilizing Weebly and will begin posting all of our important assignments as blog posts. This will most likely happen in the spring. I teach 9th grade English so I have been trying my best to keep our assignments and project creative and innovative. Eportfolios will definitely add to the wave. Students are really loving sharing and communicating with others on different platforms. We use Google Jamboard, Padlet, Kami and a few other online resources. Sometimes it takes a bit longer, but our classes are double blocked so it works.
What I could do better at:
Is managing my time and giving more effort to using every single millisecond. Sometimes I feel as if there is not enough time in a day. I have been waking up earlier and earlier to get things done. But what I could also work harder at is my video presentations. This course forced me to get out of my comfort zone and actually do a voice-over video. To be honest I have never actually heard my voice as a recording and it was a cringe-worthy moment for sure. I used Adobe and I really liked the entire concept. I will definitely be creating more videos for my students. They’re more interactive than PowerPoint and google slides and certainly more entertaining.
I am going to apply:
My learning to my future in education and also to my classroom. Hopefully, one day I will be able to teach my students and other teachers my learnings. This may take longer, but planning and preparation is the key.
My Call to Action Presentation
The video creation process was new for me, but I am honestly glad that I was able to get out of my comfort zone. This course has proved to me that I am innovative and can keep up with technology and its evolution. My call to action is to bring awareness of the benefits of Eportfolios on my high school campus.
My overall vision is to use eportfolios in the high school I teach at and possibly other high schools in our district. I have spent a large amount of time researching the benefits of E- portfolios and I am confident that they will positively impact our students. In order to make this plan work there will have to be training, a timeline, an outline, and collaboration. It is time for all campuses to become as innovative as they can be in order to educate our students. Technology is expanding nationwide and campuses are utilizing all aspects of technology. I can create a more innovative space on our campus by creating E-portfolios with our students. The E-portfolios will help the students learn and take accountability of their education. They will be able to be more reflective, increase their analysis skills and measure their own progress. My campus will be able to follow a more student centered approach. Our students will know exactly where they stand and they will be aware of their strengths and weaknesses. They will know the areas they need to grow in. This is a skill that they can use in college and in their career fields. E-portfolios will create more effective learners. They will also help teachers assess, plan, And give feedback.Teachers will be able to identify their students’ needs quickly, because of the E portfolio and what it could be used for.
The video creation process was new for me, but I am honestly glad that I was able to get out of my comfort zone. This course has proved to me that I am innovative and can keep up with technology and its evolution. My call to action is to bring awareness of the benefits of Eportfolios on my high school campus.
Cited Sources
Massy, W. F., & Wilger, A. K. (1998). Technology’s contribution to higher education productivity. New Directions for Higher Education, 103, 49-59. doi:10.1002/he.10304
Surry, D. W., & Land, S. M. (2000). Strategies for motivating higher education faculty to use
technology. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, 37(2), 145-153. doi:10.1080/13558000050034501
Slade, C., Murfin, K., & Readman, K. (2013). Evaluating processes and platforms for potential ePortfolio use:The role of the middle agent. International Journal of ePortfolio 3(2
Oliver, M. (2011). Technological determinism in educational technology research: Some alternative ways of thinking about the relationship between learning and technology. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 27(5), 373-384. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2729.2011.00406.x
Reese, M., & Levy, R. (2009). Assessing the future: Eportfolio trends, uses, and options in higher education. Research Bulletin, 4, 1-12. Retrieved from https://jscholarship.library.jhu.edu/bitstream/handle/1 774.2/33329/ECAR-RB_Eportfolios.pdf?sequence=1
Richardson, H. C., & Ward, R. (2005). Developing and implementing a methodology for reviewing e-portfolio products (Research Report). Retrieved from http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/programmes/b uildmlehefe/epfr.pdf
Voigt, C. (2009). A question of purpose: Community embedded eportfolios. Proceedings of the Ascilite Same Places, Different Spaces Conference, Auckland, New Zealand, 1067-1076. Retrieved from http://www.ascilite.org.au/conferences/auckland09/ procs/voigt.pdf
Principle 1: The duration of professional development must be significant and ongoing to allow time for teachers to learn a new strategy and grapple with the implementation problem.
Before my presentation I am fully aware that I will need to research and prepare. Preparation is the key to success. I need to plan out the message I want to get across, and what I want them to take from my professional development. The main purpose of professional developments are to increase knowledge and skills. These skills will increase and enhance students achievement and learning. Whenever I present my Professional Developments making sure they are effective and getting a “buy in” from other colleagues and staff on campus.
Principle 2: There must be support for a teacher during the implementation stage that addresses the specific challenges of changing classroom practice.
As an educator we are mostly aware of challenges that come up in the classroom. Being flexible and being able to adapt will be the key. Also taking out time to collaborate and communicate.
Supports will be available for the teachers that are taking part in the learning. I will provide weekly check- ins, survey’s, videos and meetings to make the learning effective. They will not be alone in the learning. I have found that the more communication that takes place after developments, makes the content easier to apply to classrooms. They will have my contact information and I want us to communicate with Group Me’s and through the Google Drive.
Principle 3: Teachers’ initial exposure to a concept should not be passive, but rather should engage teachers through varied approaches so they can participate actively in making sense of a new practice.
I will use differentiation in my Professional Developments just as I do for the students in my classroom. All people learn differently and opportunities need to be offered to support all learners. The developments should also be engaging and intentional.
Principle 4: Modeling has been found to be highly effective in helping teachers understand a new practice.
Modeling will always be beneficial when a new or old concepts are being taught. As a 9th grade English teach, I model lessons for my students all of the time. Especially whenever we are drafting and perfecting narratives, expository, and informational pieces of writing. In my professional learning workshops I will model and be as interactive as I can.
Principle 5: The content presented to teachers shouldn’t be generic, but instead specific to the discipline (for middle school and high school teachers) or grade-level (for elementary school teachers).
I will customize and personalize the information I am giving so that it directly identifies with the people in the room. There is a saying that goes ” it is important to read the room”. It is necessary to know your audience and who is around you.
Here is my Presentation that I created to Describe my Professional Learning Style
I created this with iMovie. I am still learning how to navigate this resource. I plan on using it in my classroom as well.
Timeline
The timeline explains when actions will be completed and the objectives and goals achieved. It helps monitor progress over the duration of a plan.
Educate staff on the 5 Principles of Effective Professional Development. CTE and Tech teachers
Communicate and Collaborate with Colleagues and Peers.
Create a Professional Learning group or create a course and add teachers. We usually use Schoology Google Drive for the this.
Add information and instructional materials.
Create a sign in Sheet on a Google Doc in the Google Drive.
Add examples and references to assist with the learning.
Audience
We need to know our audience to improve professional development. We need to improve our developments and focus on the technology aspect. This will improve our learning and teaching outcomes. We should be able to use differentiation to cater to the needs of our audience. We do this in the classroom and we can also do this during our Professional Learning Experiences. During differentiation we should utilize these things:
Making sure there is a strong lead teachers
Know the wants and needs of teachers
Keep teachers engaged
Communicate
Planning and Preparing
Collaboration
I will foster collaboration in the environment by staying true to my value and ethics. Collaboration is one of the keys to success. Teamwork makes the dream work and working together helps everyone. All individuals have special talents and things they can bring to the table.
Firstly, teachers have to become comfortable with the collaboration process. Roles should also be assigned individually. Everyone should have a specific role that should be identified early on. Out of necessity or convenience, individuals coordinate their activities to achieve common goals that, in time, guide future shared actions (Weick, 1995)
We need to work together and make connections during collaboration as well. If we don’t have healthy relationships with colleagues and staff around us, collaboration can be very difficult. Ironically, the features that are essential to a strong community, such as a shared identity and perspective, and meaningful relationships, eventually become sources of tension for its members (Westheimer, 1999)
Collaboration is key in order to keep and maintain a safe and professional learning environment. During the presentation of my Eportfolios I will need to utilize teachers from other content areas to support my vision. Connecting and Communicating Ideas
Weick, K. E. (1995). Sensemaking in organizations. London, UK: Sage Publications
Westheimer, J. (1999). Communities and consequences: An inquiry into ideology and practice in teachers’ professional work. Education Administration Quarterly, 35(1), 71–105
The Digital Millenial 