But what is an ePortfolio?

My school has had a Wax Museum every year since they opened. They were the first ones to do it. Anywhere. Because we are innovators!

Except this year we will not be able to host the traditional event. In my present ePortfolio entrenchment I see a solution. Let’s be innovative again, and start a new tradition. One that sets students up for their future of research rather that only reflecting the past. In a memo to my principal for the leadership meeting tomorrow, I told her that ePortfolios could include:

  • Files of various formats (video, slideshows, images, etc.)
  • Writing samples (including several drafts tos how development and improvement)
  • Evidence related to all courses taken
  • Projects prepared for class for extracurricular activities
  • Evidence of creativity and extracurricular activities, including examples of leadership or community involvement

I also mentioned benefits of ePortfolios:

  • Empower student voice and choice
  • ePortfolios help students develop digital composition skills
  • Students share and reflect on their work themselves
  • Research shows that operating an ePortfolio stimulates memory and deepens understanding of past experiences. 
  • Research shows that the combination of thinking about design and textual content provides higher-impact learning experiences than simply putting words on paper.
  • Demonstrate deeper level of personal growth over time

It wasn’t until I spent 9 weeks in thought and creation of my own ePortfolio that I came to understand it as a catalyst for communication, creativity, and collaboration.

When disruption is a bad word…

One of the major hurdles I overcame as I started the DLL Masters program was learning that disruption is GOOD. I have learned that when a disruption is introduced in an environment, it throws everyone off at first. There are early adopters, the “innovators”, then slowly the curve rises while more and more people adopt the new strategy, learn to use the new product, or talk about how to grow.

But the word “disruption” still has a negative connotation for most. Especially in a year of a pandemic. Especially in a month of an historic devastating climate event.

But can we be innovators inside of devastation? Is there a way to see what no one else can see when disruptions first happen? To be early adopters of change, even if the change is “natural”? Can we choose to have a growth mindset when facing trauma?

Even when pushed to our limits, let us still make disruption GOOD.