Reflective Blog #4

I think the AFL tenet that most spoke to me was “AFL should be recognized as central to classroom practice.” I choose this one because it includes all of the others. I really like the Assessment for Learning model because the teacher and students work collaboratively in the learning environment. I was a computer teacher for 9 years and witnessed that when you can engage the students, learning takes place. My approach in the classroom was project based which gave the students control and created interest. When asked, my principal said I must give a written test as part of the final, not just a project. I felt a project was a better representation of what the student actually learned.  I’m afraid Assessment of Learning is deeply engrained in our public school model.

The articles on portfolio development and practices have been very interesting. My community college district is now requiring an ePortfolio for all students starting a core program that can be transferred to a bachelor program. My department has just become involved in this process by providing the training to faculty on how to use the system. I still have not seen how my district instructs professors how to teach the ePortfolio system, but it is my hope they use the Assessment for Learning model. When the students are lead to tell their stories and showcase learning products they will get practice and reinforcement that will help them in the work place later. These are powerful tools to help them grow and become self-reflective. So many of the students entering the work place today wait to be told what tasks to do rather than being pro-active. When they are guided using such tools as ePortfolios they can be molded to be self-starters.

I have created and used an online portfolio for years when looking for work. What has changed is my perspective on what to include. I’m learning to include not only artifacts or examples of my work, but also an explanation of what and why. I can also include my vision for the future. This has broadened my perception of what an online portfolio should contain which should increase the quality of my ePortfolio.