140 likes | 238 Views
Re-imagining ePortfolios Assignments. Joshua Coon, Ph.D. April 19, 2013. Background. I teach Math 1050 and 1090 at Salt Lake Community College Part of the course curriculum is for students to do a “signature assignment” for their ePortfolio
E N D
Re-imagining ePortfolios Assignments Joshua Coon, Ph.D. April 19, 2013
Background • I teach Math 1050 and 1090 at Salt Lake Community College • Part of the course curriculum is for students to do a “signature assignment” for their ePortfolio • Most students see this as a burden rather than opportunity
Common Complaints • “Never going to use this later” • No value for career • “Won’t show to my boss” • Not professional • “Distracts from curriculum” • Need to pass the final • “Pointless”
Reinventing ePortfolio Assignments • Never going to use this later” • Make valuable for career • “Won’t show to my boss” • Professional looking work • “Distracts from curriculum” • Relevant to course materials
Standard Format • Math 1050: Example • Math 1090: Example
Standard ePortfolio Approach • The decent: Example • The average: Example • The bad: Example
Problems? • Too rigid to allow creativity • Reflective writing only potential outlet • Lack of clear presentation • Scans or pictures of assignments • Not sufficiently professional • Students preparing for business world
Solution • More creativity • Move away from short answer format • Visually pleasing structure • Paper format • Connection to outside world • Chance to discuss applications/connections
Assignment Structure • Please make sure to rewrite this into a paper format, as instructed in class. • The format for the paper should be roughly as follows: • -2-3 pages, single spaced • -Summarize the problem and different solution approaches • -Show your arithmetic • -Business or scientific format • -Correct grammar and spelling • -Individual final reports • -No plagarism
Improved ePortfolio Assignments • The good: Example • The better: Example • The very good: Example
Improvements • Paper format • Greater student freedom • Nicer presentation • Something presentable during job interview • Similar to business assignments • Boss may ask student to write report
Group Discussion • Refer to handouts • Three problems with current ePortfolio assignments • Three possible improvements
Future ePortfolio Improvements • Give students examples of professional work • Something for students to aim for • Continue to improve my Eportfolio • Lead by example • Multi-part assignments over the course of the semester • Large project in small parts
Conclusions • ePortfolios can be significantly improved • Starting point is the assignments • Rethinking traditional approach is essential