After observing some examples of E-portfolios of Dr. Padovan, grad and undergrad students, I have come to a few conclusions and opinions. I could definitely tell the difference between a professional (Dr. Padovan), the grad and then undergrad students, the undergrad students had the least amount of effort put into their E-portfolios. This leads me to wonder why that could be? Was this something that was a grade or just a personal projects? I definitely am not saying this to bash them - because all of the websites I viewed were still full of quality. I would also like to say that in no way do I think my website is better than anybody else's - I simply am making observations.
Which leads me to my other big conclusion and opinion, it is pointless to make a digital platform or do any of this work if you don't put effort into both content and appearance. Obviously one of our biggest grading points is to make sure that it's user friendly or easy to use and find content. However, I think that if the way that the site or work appears isn't also visually appealing then the reader will not become engaged and then become bored. Think of it like your 'hook' in a lesson plan, this is our way to draw the students into what they're learning and pique their interest. Obviously this is my opinion and even my own self isn't perfect at this. However, I wonder what everyone else thinks, do appearances matter in this case?
0 Comments
This topic was something that I thought didn't have a real question. Obviously any person that creates content is in fact the owner of that content. The point has come to surface that because the students are assigned the E-porfolio, that makes the content the schools property, because they're graded on content. However, I feel that my classes only introduced the idea of the E-portfolio to me and while they did ask me to complete this for grades, but that doesn't allow ownership over my own personal thoughts and ideas. The content was created solely by me, with support from credible resources that are backed by research in the field.
I do think that there could be a gray area in the fact that the assignments themselves come from the university or teacher. The fact is that the very purpose of giving students the E-portfolio, is using the COVA method which in itself gives the students choices, ownership, voice and therefore gives an authentic learning experience. The choice of how to accomplish the work is to me what keeps the content the writers property. The word ownership demonstrates that the writes do in fact own the assignment, as they actually choose what direction to take the work. The voice is what gives the students the ability to speak their educated opinions about the knowledge, and that invokes higher learning through reflection. Lastly the authentic learning experience, the students limitations are removed with the COVA method, which allows the learner to authentically learn the content by demonstrating what they know. This demonstration is of high quality, where the learner truly grasped knowledge, and vice versa if they were unable to grasp a topic. Resources: https://www.edsurge.com/news/2015-08-10-do-i-own-my-domain-if-you-grade-it http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6050 After reviewing the articles I came to the conclusion that the Eportfolios are a great tool to be used in business and education settings. This tool provides an effective platform to demonstrate someones knowledge and experience. The benefits of these Eportfolios are tremendous, but the biggest for the education side is the knowledge comprehension. While the learner is simply making a post, their brain is behind the scenes working overtime.
This is because the brain is activating all parts in order to post their knowledge in some varying form, like a blog for example. A blog is a fancy word that means to summarize experiences, and that's what makes these fantastic for comprehension of events. Bloom's taxonomy even says that comprehension is accomplished with demonstration, summarization, explanation, discussion, etc. etc. Even a discussion post, or interaction with comments helps people to comprehend what they learned. We know that in the coming years technology will take an exponentially larger part in the education field, and this is one of the tools I expect to see used. I think that this tool will eventually be used as a standard in education and business alike, especially because of the recent need for technological classrooms. Through the DLL program, I'm becoming increasingly more aware and familiar with E-portfolios. I can honestly say that I wasn't thrilled to put it together at first, blame that on a fixed mindset. However, once I figured out what they actually were, and why they were such a benefit, such as a platform for learning reflection, I really enjoy the assignment.
I had actually made a plain portfolio when I was in a content area reading course during my undergrad, and let me say that doing this digitally is so much nicer, and more professional. Creating an E-portfolio has so many benefits of both learning, and applying knowledge. In the article Making Meaningful Connections, the author spoke of how creating these electronic portfolios, give young people a platform to show their work to potential employers. Especially with the technology age blooming, it's essential that employers can see what an individual can do, whether they're just starting out or they're very accomplished. This is something that high schooler's could really benefit from, and that I plan to integrate into my future classrooms. It's something that is really marketable to my high school students because this is something that will be important in helping them get jobs. The Digital Learning & Leading program at Lamar University implements current educational techniques that are tried and true. The two that continue to have the most impact to me and my education, are the implementation of growth mindset and the COVA learning frame. Already I see these methods impacting both how I learn and how I teach. The DL&L program here at Lamar is focused on providing a personal, and authentic learning experience for all, and they accomplish through utilization of ideals such as having a growth mindset and providing learners with choice, ownership, voice and authenticity (COVA).
The first step to being successful, not only in this program, but in life, is adopting a growth mindset. Carol Dweck (2006) says that the Growth Mindset, "...is based on the belief that your basic qualities are things you can cultivate through your efforts, your strategies, and help from others." (pg. 7). Thinking with this mindset is the reason beyond many peoples success, much like Josh Waitzkin, an international chess champion who mastered jiu jitsu. "He realized he had learned how to grow and succeed and he could apply that understanding to other domains." (Briceno, 0:53 - 1:00). This realization allowed him to succeed in anything he put his mind to, demonstrating his growth mindset. If you're trying to succeed, adopting the growth mindset is vital to that, because without it, with a fixed mindset, you limit your own possibilities. Terry Waghorn (2009) even said that a fixed mindset "means success is all about showing how smart or talented you are. It's all about validating yourself. Something new is something to be avoided, as it may expose weakness." (paras. 3). Success isn't something that ever comes easy, in fact I think "The key to success is to focus on the goals not the obstacles." (Anonymous, 2020). Once you're able to focus on your goal, such as completing your master's in education, obstacles become expected, and overcome, instead of stopping your progress. With success also comes failure, but it's important to fail forward. Realizing that failure is imminent, and in fact, "Failure isn't fatal; in fact, it is REQUIRED for innovation success..." (Maddock, paras. 6). Learner's that adopt a growth mindset, will be successful, especially when the principle of COVA is used in the classroom, much like it is in the DL&L program. Dwayne Harapnuik says that, "...the elements of the COVA approach to learning which include choice, ownership, and voice through authentic activities or assignments are based on well-established and widely accepted active learning principles." (paras. 2). The COVA approach allows for the learner to have a personalized learning experience, because of the elements such as choice and ownership. Barbara Bray says that personalized learning is "...built on the idea that each learner is unique and learns in different ways." (paras. 1). Since each individual learns differently, it would then make sense that learners should have the opportunity to express their knowledge in a way that makes sense to them and helps them learn as they create. In conclusion, as I continue my journey with my Master's in Education, I know that my learning will continue to evolve because of the growth mindset, and the COVA structure. When I do fail I will ensure that I fail forward, that is learning from my failures. These ideals will ensure for my success, and I am enthusiastic of what I know I can accomplish through this program. Links to my Educational Works https://cschmedthorstportfolio.weebly.com/growth-mindset.html https://cschmedthorstportfolio.weebly.com/educational-beliefs.html https://cschmedthorstportfolio.weebly.com/learning-networks-blog.html References Anonymous. (2020) Scattered quotes. Retrieved from: https://scatteredquotes.com/key-to-success-is-focus-on-goals/ Bray, B. (2014). Personalize your learning environment. Retrieved from: https://www.iste.org/explore/In-the-classroom/Personalize-your-learning-environment?articleid=11 Briceno, E. (2018). The power of belief. Youtube. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pN34FNbOKXc&feature=youtu.be Dweck, C. (2006). Mindset the new psychology of success. New York, NY: Ballatine Books Harapnuik, D. (2018). COVA. Retrieved from: http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6991 Maddock, M. (2012). If you have to fail -- and you do -- fail forward. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemaddock/2012/10/10/if-you-have-to-fail-and-you-do-fail-forward/#32d2a4d958e5 Waghorn, J. (2009). Are you trapped in a fixed mindset? fix it! Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/2009/04/20/mindset-psychology-succcess-leadership-careers-dweck.html#24f6505f11ad Throughout my life I've faced a lot of adversary to get to where I am, I struggled with poverty and constant negativity towards my success from family. I originally chose to pursue the Digital Learning & Leading at Lamar because I figured I could learn more about technology, prove the naysayers wrong, and then upon completion get paid more. However, now that I've started the program I have a bit different perspective over my 'why'. The introduction of growth mindset and the COVA approach are two things that helped shift my views, not only did they allow me to see how to accomplish things that I felt were out of my grasp, I felt like a kid again as my imagination and creativity were able to flow as I created my masterpiece.
The final assignment of the first course in the DLL program is creating the main structure for an E-portfolio. The website I have built is something that utilizes the COVA principles: Choice, Ownership, Voice, & Authenticity. I not only got to choose how to present my material, I have ownership over my creations, my opinions and thoughts are voiced throughout, and lastly it's truly authentic for the fact that it uses my learning methods to both teach me and demonstrate my knowledge at the same time. As somebody that grew up on the tail end of technology innovations, and has seen nearly all types of technology become increasingly more advanced, it is my personal goal to create a positive technology based classroom that is still able to create personable relationships. In order to accomplish this it takes initiative and perseverance, both of which are a part of the growth mindset. I personally believe the how is the most important in the pursuant and accomplishing goals - because it's the hard work that goes into the goals that actually gets the person to complete them. I do consider myself primarily a fixed mindset, although it's something I have the mind now to change about myself and others I encounter.
The fixed mindset is something that I have already attempted to cure myself and students. I work in the part of the district that has a higher percentage of low socioeconomic students, that being said they have few goals for themselves. Once they decide they can't do something, they won't fail - a fixed mindset. I showed the videos we watched to my students and spoke to them of the impossibility they faced, and the fact that they could overcome it. I believe that the fixed mindset is something we are meant to help children get themselves out of. As Carol Dweck experienced the different students deal with their failures differently, I aspire to challenge my students, and to help them overcome their mindsets and create new ones with our newfound education! The power of the 'yet' message took me back, and I plan to share this with my students during a SEL day on Friday! I will say that unlike the article by Alfie Kohn, I don't think that its a complex idea, as far as language change. I think that using the growth mindset language wouldn't communicate that students weren't capable of success - I think that problem is resolved through having relationships with your students that help them understand your language and what you mean by that.
After reviewing the resources and our discussion via adobe the other day, I am intrigued by this particular subject. The "Growth Mindset" is surprisingly a internal conversation I had with myself as a 8th grader. Much like the resources explained, I was always told that I was intelligent, and gifted etc., so I thought I didn't have to try to be smart. Well as I started to fail 8th grade math, I heard a message basically saying that if you constantly told yourself you were bad at something, that you would be. I decided to change my mindset and it did work, rather well - I made an A in all my math courses except for Algebra 1. My point to that is that I actually used these principles and it worked. However, I would still say that I am still a fixed mindset person, most of the time. Until watching these videos, I never realized what exactly my previous success had banked on, and I'm unlike Josh W. in that way. It took me a bit longer to realize I needed to use those principles elsewhere. Much like Howard Gardner and his theory of multiple intelligence, I believe that people aren't black and white -fitting into one box or the other- instead that they're capable of having both a fixed and a growth mindset. I think this depends on what the subject is, such as my fixed mindset towards math. Just as many psychologists believe that the brain is malleable, so is our ability to change our mindsets. Resources https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=531&v=pN34FNbOKXc&feature=emb_logo&disable_polymer=true |
Categories
All
Archives
April 2020
AuthorCaitlin Schmedthorst |