Final Thoughts on Developing an E-Portfolio

Now I would like to share some final thoughts about my experience developing this E-Portfolio.

Firstly, I would like to note that this is not my first E-Portfolio. In January 2011, my employer had sent a colleague and I to a three day workshop called Introduction to E-Portfolio: Train the Trainer with Workplace Education Manitoba. The goal is that we would teach our clients to create E-Portfolios as part of their career development.

At that time, I was only aware of E-Portfolios created in PowerPoint. As you can imagine, I was excited to embark on that new challenge!

Over a period of three weeks with only three in-class days, we created an Essential Skills based E-Portfolio via Career Portfolio Manitoba.

My Professional Page of my first E-Portfolio, Jan-Feb 2011

My Learning Styles Page, Jan-Feb 2011

While that experience seemed tedious at times, I believe that it gave me the foundation to create  'pages'. As a result, it was an easy transition for me to attempt this latest E-Portfolio on Blogger. (Now, it is all the editing that is tedious!).

At this point, I am really proud of myself for creating this current E-Portfolio because it gave me a new way to showcase my career development.

Understanding that career marketing tools (I.e. resumes and portfolios) are living documents, I know that I will continue to adapt this E-Portfolio as I continue to grow in my career.

So, please stay tuned...

Writing for Understanding

Since my early teaching days, before accreditation, I have always had a strong interest in writing and curriculum development.

For the past four years, my writing has changed from developing and adapting resources for language learners to writing for facilitators, workplace training, the web, and post- secondary environments.

In my current position at the Centre for Education and Work, I have been fortunate to combine my talents, interests, and recent emerging technology skills into a beneficial writing career.

Within 1.5 years, I have been able to use my research techniques to create paper-based and electronic learning resources for adult learners.

• Research and develop curriculum, course materials, lesson plans, learning resources, and facilitator's guides;
• Compile project information to create Activity Reports;
• Analyze and synthesize information from focus groups/interview transcripts and various websites to provide necessary information to lead researcher;
• Assist in editing French website and lesson plans as needed;
• Develop activities, introductions, and instructions for e-courses; and
• Write company blog and e-newsletters to inform potential and existing clients of current project outcomes and/or status

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Even my last employer, Manitoba Start, was pleasantly surprised that I was willing and able to adapt, design and format employment learning resources from existing handouts into two comprehensive booklets for facilitators and career coaches to use with their learners/clients. 

In addition, I was encouraged to create mini workshops and presentations for new/existing staff to use in orientations, staff meetings, and other designated times slots. 

Even in my role as a facilitator, I taught my adult learners how to improve their 21st Century Skills, such as 

• how to navigate settlement, employment, education, and professional regulatory body websites;
• how to write career marketing tools (I.e. resumes, cover/reference/ thank you letters, etc.);
• how to fill out lengthy online applications; and
• I even sent them basic computer assessments to encourage them to upgrade their skills in MS Office and accounting software. 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• If you already have the writing bug, then see what creative path you can take to teach in an alternative way. 
• If you don't have the confidence to explore writing curriculum, start small  by adding to an existing lesson plan.  
• Try to observe the structure of learning resources you already use in order to figure out what is effective with your learners.

ONLINE RESOURCES:

• Here's a link to a great website, Smashing Magazine, that has an article/ blog post titled, 50 Free Resources That Will Improve Your Writing Skills by Vitaly Friedman.
• ProBlogger.net is another great resource for those of you who want to start a blog, but don't know where to begin.

Hopefully these strategies and resources will start you on the 'write' path to curriculum and content development.

Practical Experience: The Front Lines Continued...

In my second and final practicum, I was placed at an alternative high school where I taught and developed units for the following subjects:

Journalism: 

• Grade 12--Blogging Unit

English Units:

• Grade 10--Time Management and Aboriginal Human Rights
• Grade 12-- Media Awareness and Sustainability & Environmentalism

Below is a copy of the two page Anecdotal Summative Report that "reflects the student's status as compared to expectations of a beginning professional. Each signatory has observed, discussed and assessed the student's work."

HIGHLIGHTS: You should notice the digital tools and technology, I employed as teaching strategies during this practicum.

Page 1 - Anecdotal Summative Report, 2009

Quote from the Lesson Planning and Implementation section:

"La Donna prepared two units--one for Grade 10 entitled, 'Time Management' and the other for Grade 12 designated, 'Sustainability and Environmentalism'. Her lessons  and units are planned with due research for materials.[...] Her lesson objectives were clear, which at the very outset, she announced to students and how she planned to achieve them. Her strategies included, among others, KWL, brainstorming, discussion, projects, group work, lecture, worksheets, hand outs. She used a variety of tools including computer, LCD Projector, poster paper, YouTube video, dictionary, various articles to make her lessons interesting.[...] All three mentors--Michelle, John, and Dave say, La Donna's both units had a variety of activities for students and incorporated Differentiated Instruction and Information Technology element."

Page 2 - Anecdotal Summative Report, 2009

Quote from the Professional Responsibilities section:

"La Donna has made herself a part of Argyle High School faculty. She has demonstrated creative use of technology in developing her projects and activities and continues to challenge herself with new ideas and approaches to learning, say Dave, John, and Michelle. She communicates well with other staff members and the administration. She attended Professional Development session entitled, 'Understanding By Design' at RB Russell School. [...] She took responsibility for leading the students in their monthly publication of the school's newspaper. This included the selection of stories, photography and captions, as well as layout for publication, says Dave."

RECOMMENDATIONS: 

• Increase your 21st Century Skills so that you can incorporate them into your lesson plans.
• Provide your learners with new ways to understand concepts through the application of technology.

In conclusion, I would have to say that these very different practical experiences helped me to broaden my awareness of teaching, including the ability to be adaptable!

Practical Experience: The Front Lines

Before I became a Certified Teacher with the Province of Manitoba, I worked in a variety of education related positions at the University of Winnipeg--Student Services, EAL Instructor, Marker, and Exam/Test Invigilator.

However, when it came to enrolling in my education program, I knew that I would have to complete practicums in both Middle and Senior Years streams--Grades 7 to 12.

Even though my teachables are English Language Arts and French as a Second Language for Senior Years, you will see that I had to become more flexible in with the subjects that I taught.

My first practicum was at a Junior High school in Winnipeg's West End/Inner City where I taught and prepared units for the following subjects:

Social Studies:

• Grade 7 - 9 (EAL) Canadian Provinces--Quebec
• Grade 8 (Girls) Egyptian History and Middle Ages

French (as a Second Language):

• Grade 7 Food Unit

Below is a copy of my Formative Classroom Evaluation for one of my Social Studies Units which was filled out by my Faculty Supervisor. FYI--"This form reflects the course expectations of practicum courses in Education Year 4/1 AD and Education Year 5/2 AD and is designed to provide constructive feedback to students." 

Summative Evaluation, 2007 - 2008

Quotes from Formative Classroom Evaluation:

"La Donna's lesson demonstrates the ability to develop for unit and long term objectives."

"She is  aware of student behaviours around the classroom and effectively utilizes proactive and reactive strategies when appropriate."

"She is aware of the importance of student assessment and is able to evaluate student achievements in relation to the outcomes of the lesson." 

RECOMMENDATIONS:

• Understand the importance of assessing your learners  in order to identify the gaps in their skills.
• Find ways for learners to self-identify their strengths and weaknesses so that you can assist them.

Well I have to admit that it was a challenge to teach unfamiliar course content, however I employed my research skills and creativity to make really fun, educational units for these young learners!