Initiating Portfolios in Your School

 

 

 

 

 

Table of

Contents

 

1 Purpose

2 Curriculum

3 Requirements

4 Reviewer

5 Assessment

6 Organization

7 Storage

8 Implementation

 

 

 

This case study was contributed by the following ICT Summer Institute 2006 participants:

 

Bonnie Beadle, Jean Kobeski, Heidi Kuttner,

Tamara Lever, Pam McLeod, Maureen Meyer, Rose O’Neill-Verney

 

 

 

1.      Establish the purpose for the portfolio based on your district’s goals and mission.

 

The purpose of each student's ICT portfolio is to document attainment of district standards and to demonstrate achievement in one or more content areas, student reflection and interests, and technological ability.  It will be both formative and summative in nature.  Digital content will be selected from existing classroom activities into which a technical component has been integrated. An acceptable score on the completed portfolio will be the prerequisite for students to enroll in advanced high school computer classes.

 

In our district, portfolios should be both formative and summative.  Teachers will designate a number of existing projects as summative portfolio candidates each year, from which students will select their actual portfolio artifacts, as follows:

 

 

K-2 students will select 2 projects per year to include in their portfolio.  In grades 3-5, students will choose 1 project per core curricular area per year from which to select their artifacts.  In grades 6-8, students will choose 2 projects per core curricular area.  Additionally, they will select one artifact from each "special" or "Unified Arts" course for their portfolio.  Summative portfolio artifacts will be regular classroom projects which are graded or assessed for content by teachers.  

 

As the formative piece of each portfolio, each student will review and reflect upon the technology aspects of their portfolio and artifacts twice per year, and upon the core subject areas once each year.  The technology teacher will assist the students in technology reflection, while all teachers will assist in core subject area reflection.

 

The final portfolio product will be assessed by a team using a standard rubric at the end of the 6th and 8th grades.

 

Although the primary responsibility for the introduction of technology concepts and skills lies with the tech coordinator/teachers, the application of these skills is the responsibility of all teachers in all content areas.  Additionally, the tech coordinator will assist teachers in selecting and integrating portfolio artifacts relative to the NETS Standards.

 

 

2.     Determine how existing school or district curriculum aligns with the ICT standards.

 

All teachers will use existing curriculum activities/projects to produce digital artifacts.  Those teachers who already utilize technology integration may identify appropriate projects as digital artifacts.  Those teachers needing assistance with technology integration will consult with the tech coordinator and grade-level team at the start of the school year to identify existing projects which could be integrated.  Administrators will monitor implementation of the digital portfolio project and will mentor teachers as needed, and provide access to Professional Development activities when necessary.

 

When existing activities are selected, they should be aligned with NH State and NETS technology standards with assistance form the technology coordinator.  Additionally, depending on school focus and test results, some grades will need to focus more on subjects like math, reading, and writing.

 

It is crucial that a student's artifacts reflect a cross-section of curricular areas over time.  Although some grade-level teachers may focus more on certain core subjects one year, such as math, reading, or writing (and if that is necessary due to a school's focus and/or test results, we highly encourage this!), the student's portfolio should show a cross-section of subjects over time.  A subject-area checklist will be provided by the Administration and will be tied to an internal database to cross-reference each artifact to its applicable content areas.  This checklist will be an online form and will be updated by a student's teacher each time an artifact is selected for portfolio inclusion.  Reports generated from the database will provide at-a-glance measures of diversity of artifact content areas over time.

 
Determine the content requirements that will be placed in the portfolio.

 

 

 Number of activities completed by student XXX, with examples provided below:

 

 

4       Determine the reviewer process for assessing the portfolios.

 

 

Portfolio assessment teams, which include core subject teachers and technology coordinator, will utilize a standard rubric for assessing the portfolios near the end of the 6^th and 8^th grades.  This team will meet for the review process by the end of the third quarter.  If student remediation is required, the team will make the recommendation to the technology coordinator (team members will receive remuneration and time off for the review process).  The technology coordinator, in collaboration with the student's teachers, will guide the student towards a complete portfolio, when and if remediation is required.   

 

Every student will review their portfolio at mid-term and end of year, to write a self-reflection on the artifacts included in the portfolio. 

 

Professional development will be provided to further develop rubrics and assessment procedures.  Content teachers should review the content artifacts, and they are graded for content before going into the portfolio.  Upon completion of 8th grade, the portfolios will be forwarded to the 9th grade team as an introduction to the students and their work.

 

To help meet the formative requirement, similar artifacts from the start/end of the year should be selected when possible in order to show growth.  At least one assignment each year should be a formative assignment (e.g., English, Math, SS, Science) .

 

Reviews will be tracked via grading, the yearly assessment, and through each student's reflection.  The portfolios will be tracked in an internal database system.  Teachers will add their reflections of student work based on the assignment. This reflection is part of the student's final assignment grade.

 

5       Design the assessment rubrics to be used for assessing the portfolios.

 

 

Portfolio assessment will be carried out by a team of administrators and teachers at the end of the 6th and 8th grades, to include the tech coordinator/teachers.  Evaluators will use a rubric similar to that which is provided in the table below.  The 6th grade portfolio will be viewed as preliminary, to be improved upon during the 7th and 8th grades.  The overall purpose of compiling a portfolio in the 6th grade is to compile existing artifacts into a portfolio "rough draft" which can be further edited in middle school. 

 

Assessment rubrics will include alignment with the state ICT, ISTE and NETS standards.

 

Reviewers should assess each student portfolio annually to ensure that the cumulative contents of the portfolio to date include a sufficient cross-section of content areas, to include:  Math, Reading, Writing, Social Studies, Science, Foreign Language, Music, Art, Health, PE, Technology, Tech Ed, and Family/Consumer Sciences.  A district rubric will be provided for this task (see the following table).

 

 

6       Establish the portfolio organizational framework to be used when building the portfolios.

 

Each student will place all electronic artifacts into their folder on the server which is accessible to them from any computer within the school.  Work completed at home may be brought into school on any external drive which can be uploaded to the school's system with the aid of the teacher and/or technology coordinator.  This work will be organized into folders of grade level and content area that the students create so they begin to understand the organizational structure they will need for their portfolios as they move to the 6th grade. 

 

A PDBMS (Portfolio Database Management System) will be created or selected by the tech coordinator and/or an outside consultant into which students will upload a reference (attribute) to their artifacts.  This database can be accessed by teachers to determine whether they are providing students with the opportunities they need to create artifacts they need by the end of the 8th grade, and will also store student reflections. This resource will provide teachers with an electronic checklist that they can reference as they work with students.  

 

Starting in the 6th grade, the students will begin organizing their work for inclusion into their portfolios.  The portfolios will follow a pre-created template which will be created in PowerPoint for the first 2 years of the project or created in HTML, if the student is comfortable in that format.  PowerPoint portfolios will be exported to HTML before being burned to a CD/DVD for transfer to the high school or with the student.  Students will have the ability to continuously update their portfolio between Grades 6 and 8.

 

As time progresses, the students will be able to select their choice of software for portfolio creation, to include:  native HTML, PowerPoint, Word, PDF, or any other tool which exists.  The format selected must have the ability to export to HTML.  This variation will allow advanced or remedial technology students to tailor their portfolio to their skill level.

 

The portfolio will include, at a minimum:

·         Title page;

·         Photo;

·         Table of contents;

·         Academic pages (to include all artifacts, organized first by either grade level or content area);

·         An extra-curricular page;

·         A community service page;

·         A personal interest page.

 

 

7        Establish the method for storage of the portfolio.

 

Portfolio storage will not be a challenge in this type of district.  Each student’s artifact files will be stored in a separate folder on the school server.  The portfolio can be created as a folder within the student’s larger folder.  Reflections and artifact attributes, including teacher assessments, will be stored in the PDBMS.  Each student will be provided with 200 megabytes initially to be revisited every year should limits be reached too soon.   Data must be backed up daily with the district’s backup system.

 

Students will cut a CD or transfer data via USB drive to the Middle School or High School.  This transfer is to occur in HTML format.

 

 

 

8       Implement the portfolio generation and assessment process in your school.

 

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IS KEY TO THE IMPLEMENTION OF THIS PROJECT!

 

The portfolio implementation will be a gradual process to be phased in over 4 years, with constant monitoring for revision and update as technology changes.  So that no teachers (or students) are “left behind” (NTLB?), and because this school does have current technology in place, students in every grade level will be expected to produce artifacts in the first year.  The quantity of artifacts required in each grade, however, will begin at a minimum level and increase over time.

 

It is essential that administrators are on board and are a key part of this process.  Teachers should be evaluated on their participation in the process and encouraged with additional support when necessary.  Extensive professional development should include such ideas as Tech Partner Teams where tech savvy teachers aid those who are less sure of their technical skills, Just-in-Time training, and group instruction and reflection on all aspects of the process of implementation.

The technology coordinator will be key to aiding teachers in this process but they cannot and will not be responsible for the portfolio process. That must be emphasized to all constituencies. The portfolio team can and should meet as soon as possible to review the rubrics and discuss the overall concept of review of 8th grade portfolios. Teaching teams should meet to discuss implementing activities and developing rubrics for the individual artifacts to be included in the portfolios.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sample Grade-Level Technology Activities to be provided to Teachers
(based on NETS and NH State standards):

 

 

APPENDIX A:  PDBMS

Figure1:  Potential Integration of Portolio DBMS, SIS, and Parent Portals

APPENDIX B:  NETS Standards

GRADES PREK – 2 :  http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_profile-k2.html

 

Performance Indicators:

All students should have opportunities to demonstrate the following performances. Prior to completion of Grade 2 students will:

 

1. Use input devices (e.g., mouse, keyboard, remote control) and output devices (e.g., monitor, printer) to successfully operate computers, VCRs, audiotapes, and other technologies. (1)
2. Use a variety of media and technology resources for directed and independent learning activities. (1, 3)
3. Communicate about technology using developmentally appropriate and accurate terminology. (1)
4. Use developmentally appropriate multimedia resources (e.g., interactive books, educational software, elementary multimedia encyclopedias) to support learning. (1)
5. Work cooperatively and collaboratively with peers, family members, and others when using technology in the classroom. (2)
6. Demonstrate positive social and ethical behaviors when using technology. (2)
7. Practice responsible use of technology systems and software. (2)
8. Create developmentally appropriate multimedia products with support from teachers, family members, or student partners. (3)
9. Use technology resources (e.g., puzzles, logical thinking programs, writing tools, digital cameras, drawing tools) for problem solving, communication, and illustration of thoughts, ideas, and stories. (3, 4, 5, 6)
10. Gather information and communicate with others using telecommunications, with support from teachers, family members, or student partners. (4)

 

Numbers in parentheses following each performance indicator refer to the standards category to which the performance is linked. The categories are:

 

1. Basic operations and concepts
2. Social, ethical, and human issues
3. Technology productivity tools
4. Technology communications tools
5. Technology research tools
6. Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools

 

 
GRADES 3 – 5:  http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_profile-35.html

 

Performance Indicators:

All students should have opportunities to demonstrate the following performances. Prior to completion of Grade 5 students will:

 

1.       Use keyboards and other common input and output devices (including adaptive devices when necessary) efficiently and effectively. (1)

2.       Discuss common uses of technology in daily life and the advantages and disadvantages those uses provide. (1, 2)

3.       Discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and information and describe personal consequences of inappropriate use. (2)

4.       Use general purpose productivity tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, remediate skill deficits, and facilitate learning throughout the curriculum. (3)

5.       Use technology tools (e.g., multimedia authoring, presentation, Web tools, digital cameras, scanners) for individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. (3, 4)

6.       Use telecommunications efficiently and effectively to access remote information, communicate with others in support of direct and independent learning, and pursue personal interests. (4)

7.       Use telecommunications and online resources (e.g., e-mail, online discussions, Web environments) to participate in collaborative problem-solving activities for the purpose of developing solutions or products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. (4, 5)

8.       Use technology resources (e.g., calculators, data collection probes, videos, educational software) for problem solving, self-directed learning, and extended learning activities. (5, 6)

9.       Determine when technology is useful and select the appropriate tool(s) and technology resources to address a variety of tasks and problems. (5, 6)

10.   Evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources. (6)

 

Numbers in parentheses following each performance indicator refer to the standards category to which the performance is linked. The categories are:

 

1. Basic operations and concepts
2. Social, ethical, and human issues
3. Technology productivity tools
4. Technology communications tools
5. Technology research tools
6. Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools

 

 

GRADES 6 – 8:  http://cnets.iste.org/students/s_profile-68.html

 

Performance Indicators:

All students should have opportunities to demonstrate the following performances. Prior to completion of Grade 8 students will:

 

1.       Apply strategies for identifying and solving routine hardware and software problems that occur during everyday use. (1)

2.       Demonstrate knowledge of current changes in information technologies and the effect those changes have on the workplace and society. (2)

3.       Exhibit legal and ethical behaviors when using information and technology, and discuss consequences of misuse. (2)

4.       Use content-specific tools, software, and simulations (e.g., environmental probes, graphing calculators, exploratory environments, Web tools) to support learning and research. (3, 5)

5.       Apply productivity/multimedia tools and peripherals to support personal productivity, group collaboration, and learning throughout the curriculum. (3 , 6)

6.       Design, develop, publish, and present products (e.g., Web pages, videotapes) using technology resources that demonstrate and communicate curriculum concepts to audiences inside and outside the classroom. (4, 5, 6)

7.       Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using telecommunications and collaborative tools to investigate curriculum-related problems, issues, and information, and to develop solutions or products for audiences inside and outside the classroom. (4, 5)

8.       Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems. (5, 6)

9.       Demonstrate an understanding of concepts underlying hardware, software, and connectivity, and of practical applications to learning and problem solving. (1, 6)

10.   Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias of electronic information sources concerning real-world problems. (2, 5, 6)

 

Numbers in parentheses following each performance indicator refer to the standards category to which the performance is linked. The categories are:

 

1. Basic operations and concepts
2. Social, ethical, and human issues
3. Technology productivity tools
4. Technology communications tools
5. Technology research tools
6. Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools

APPENDIX C:  Rubrics

From:  http://www.ncrtec.org/tl/sgsp/lpsg.htm

Scoring Guide for Lesson Plans That Use Technology Resources