Computers in Schools Lesson Plan, ePortfolios

Lesson Plan:
ePortfolios

Objectives:

Students will:

Define “portfolio” and “e-portfolio.”
Provide examples of basic purposes and elements of student-made portfolios/e-portfolios.
Describe “confidentiality” as it relates to student work.

NETS-T Standards:

2B. Teachers apply current research on teaching and learning with technology when planning learning environments and experiences.
2C. Teachers identify and locate technology resources and evaluate them for accuracy and suitability.
3A. Teachers facilitate technology-enhanced experiences that address content standards and student technology standards.
3B. Teachers use technology to support learner-centered strategies that address the diverse needs of students.
3C. Teachers apply technology to develop students’ higher-order thinking skills and creativity.
6A. Teachers model and teach legal and ethical practice related to technology use.

Materials:

One teacher computer with lecture slides and web access
Pre-designed chart paper with portfolio questions (1 per 6 students)
Wet-erase markers (1 set per 4 students)
Paper towels and spray bottle (for cleaning posters after class)
Lesson Plan II sign-up sheet
Digital camera
ePortfolio Elements (one per student)
Website Evalaution Form and Evaluation Grading Rubric (extra grading rubrics)
Assignments-to-Date Sheet (1 per student)

Procedures:

Before students arrive, tape a presentation schedule on the board. As students enter the room, collect their website evaluations and have them sign-up for a presentation slot for when they will present their lesson plan II to the class.

Group Brainstorming: Portfolios (20 minutes)

Have students get in groups of six. Provide each group with a piece of chart paper with prompts for the following items and a wet-erase marker. Have them brainstorm ideas for the following questions:

Give examples of professions that require portfolios.
Explain why these professions require portfolios and what are the benefits of requiring them.
Write a definition for “portfolio.”
Describe potential benefits of having students develop portfolios.
What items would go into a student portfolio?
Describe potential benefits of having teachers create and maintain portfolios.
What items would go into a teacher portfolio?

After twelve minutes, call all students together and have one student from each group report their findings. Take pictures of groups and their responses as they present.

Opening (5 minutes)

Announce daily outline and objectives.

Activity: Paper-Based Elementary-Level Student Portfolios (15 minutes)

Provide a definition of “portfolio” and add any critical information the student groups did not identify related to the questions.

Explain confidentiality as it relates to paper-based and e-portfolios.

Have students sit in a circle. Explain the origin of the assorted portfolios (including those from elementary-level, pre-service, and in-service teachers) and remind students about confidentiality. Next, give each student a sample paper-based portfolio. After four minutes, have students pass their portfolios to the right. Have them review the second portfolio for two minutes, pass the portfolio, and review a third for two minutes.

After the review period, ask students:

Did anything surprise you as you reviewed the portfolios?
What did you like/dislike about them and why?
If you were to assign portfolios to your students, what would you require/not require?
How might the portfolios be different if they were e-portfolios?

Lecture: Designing Webpages (15 minutes) – see lecture slides; hear audio

Introduce students to web design principles.

Provide an overview of the ePortfolio assignment and a list of activities in this class to-date.

Closing (5 minutes)

Review daily outline and objectives.
Tell students about the reading and quiz for next session.
Tell students they will need to be prepared with their teaching materials on the day they present their lessons to the class. They should have a working copy of any slides tested and on-screen on the teacher computer before class starts on the day they present. They will also need at least one copy of any hard-copied material to pass around during the presentation. Finally, they should bring in any technological devices that require demonstration.
Remind students

Lesson Plan II is due next session.
The class field trip to Bracken is next week. Students should plan for carpooling if needed.