Why Should You Use an Eportfolio?

It’s important to use ePortfolios to show your process of learning how to learn.

In the era we are living right now, time doesn’t stop and everything is changing at a very fast speed because of the technology and the access to it. To be prepared for the 21st century, we need to be able to adapt, collaborate, and find solutions to real world problems. An authentic ePortfolio allows you to show and reflect on how you are connecting the dots to find those solutions. As John Dewey said, “We do not learn from experience … we learn from reflecting on experience”. The reflection piece in the ePortfolios is when the deep learning is happening.

This year I am trying something new with my class. At the end of the lessons, I am asking my students to go back to their work they did on that day and reflect. They need to tell me how they can do a better job on the next day. I have seen how this little time that we spend at the end of my lessons, is motivating my kids to reflect on their learning and I see how little by little they are learning how to learn.

I believe this is how ePortfolios are effective. They encourage the deep learning when you have the opportunity to experience real world situations and reflect on that. The ePortfolios  keep track of your growth and learning process too, because they showcase your starting point and the progress you made over time.

References:

Harapnuik, D. (n.d.). Why use an eportfolio. Retrieved from: http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=6063

Barrett, H. (n.d.). Why reflect Retrieved from: https://sites.google.com/site/reflection4learning/why-reflect