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Module 2 – The e-Portfolio of the 21st Century Teacher

Joel D. Mitchell

Grand Canyon University

TEC509

September 16, 2009

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E-Portfolio Use

As the centuries go by, it is apparent that more is being asked of 21st century teachers

than in the past. More emphasis is being placed on certification, continued improvement, and the

integration of technology into curriculum. As new teachers straight out of college vie for jobs

being made available by the retiring Baby Boomer generation, more is being expected of them to

prove to district administrators that they have the skills to make it in the modern classroom. In

the past, portfolios were an excellent means to introduce teaching styles and philosophies to

potential employers. With the explosion of technology toward becoming more paperless in

schools, e-Portfolios should be embraced so “your professional competence can be judged by

others” (Campbell, et al, 2008, pg. 8). E-Portfolios go beyond the paper-filled presentations that

have been used in the past. A documentation of professional growth allows the teacher to

showcase personal strengths, allow for the better understanding of how the teacher fits into the

overall view of education, and makes for an electronic resume for possible employment. The e-

portfolio allows for outsiders to get a better understanding of what the teacher stands for, as well

as allowing the teacher to get a better understanding of who they really are.

Artifacts are defined as “tangible evidence that indicates an achievement of a goal or the

attainment of knowledge and skills, such as professional work samples, videos, letters, student

products, or certificates” (Campbell, et al, 2008, pg. 8). As more technology integration occurs, it

will be quite common for much material to be held in online repositories. A hypothetical e-

portfolio would include the following checklist of artifacts, with concepts based on Interstate

New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium standards. Twenty artifacts are used to help

present the teacher as a well rounded educator. Without a thorough list of artifacts, the teacher is

short-changed by not taking advantage of the benefits of what e-Portfolio can truly offer.
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Artifacts for Standard One – Knowledge of Subject Matter

History Unit on the United States Constitution
PowerPoint presentation of the influence of Romantic Age Writers on the 19th Century

Artifacts for Standard Two – Knowledge of Human Development and Learning

Research essay on the application of Differentiated Learning with 6th Graders
Classroom studies on teaching strategies for Aspersers children.

Artifacts for Standard Three – Adapting Instruction for Individual Needs

Athletic Coordinator recommendation for Soccer coach of the year
Reflective journal on dealing with ESL students

Artifacts for Standard Four – Multiple Instructional Strategies

Lesson on Supply and Demand using Learning Circles
Student created wiki focusing on the history of Czar Russia

Artifacts for Standard Five – Classroom Motivation and Management Skills

Observations of successful behavior modification strategies
Student created video showing classroom policies and procedures

Artifacts for Standard Six – Communication Skills

Multimedia Lecture on the French and Indian Wars
Letter of thanks for being the guest speaker at a P.T.L. meeting

Artifacts for Standard Seven – Instructional Planning Skills

Team teaching on the biological effects of chemical weapons during wartime
Itinerary planning of 7th & 8th Grade Washington D.C. trip

Artifacts for Standard Eight – Assessment of Student Learning

Quiz in Science class over protists & monerans
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Essays over Washington’s role as leader of the new nation

Artifacts for Standard Nine – Professional Commitment and Responsibility

Certificate of Yearbook Advisor Excellence
Playbill of school spring musical

Artifacts for Standard Ten – Partnerships

Parental signed copy of missing homework admittance
Picture of 6th Graders singing for Sunday Services in church

As with any document denoting accomplishments, e-Portfolios need to be a continual

work in progress. A constantly updated product permits the educator to frequently allow for

growth and professional change, allowing a refocus of energies without losing sight of goals

(Covey, 1990). With this renewal, the teacher is able to step up the capability to be productive,

and to cope with challenges, by using the repository of resources on hand.

With the myriad of resources available to districts, student progress can be displayed on-

line, allowing parents to see growth. With the advancement of on-line resources like e-Portfolios

and the advent of Web 2.0 opportunities, teachers continue to take steps closer to a truly

paperless classroom. E-Portfolios allow for typed and multimedia assignments to be kept in one

place, much like the binder many students keep at school.

E-Portfolios are the future of information consolidation in the educational world. As

educators introduce newer technologies into the classroom, e-Portfolios offer a chance for

teachers to further integrate technology into self-improvement and greater resume exhibition.

Most of all, students will take advantage of this technology that will influence their options when

joining the workforce.

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References

Campbell, D., Cignetti, P., Melenyzer, B., Nettles, D., and Wyman, R. (2007). How to Develop a

Professional Portfolio. Boston: Pearson Education.

Covey, Stephen R. (1990). The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in

Personal Change. Glencoe, IL: Free Press