Using eFolio in a High School Interdisciplinary Class

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Using eFolioin a High School Interdisciplinary
Class

• Elaine Malley
• Cretin-Derham Hall High School
• St. Paul, Minnesota

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Using eFolio in an Interdisciplinary Class

• Why use electronic portfolios?
• Benefits of eFolio
• eFolio Custom Design for the Values Symposium
  class at Cretin-Derham Hall
• Technical aspects of introducing and using eFolio
  with 9th graders
• Open Forum to share eFolio projects and
  experiences

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Interdisciplinary Class at CDH Values Symposium

• English, Social Studies, Religion
• Required class for all 9th graders
• Classes of about 40 students with 3 teachers
• Tech support teacher
• Block class periods 90 minute
• 3 large classrooms, tables and chairs for
  flexibility
• 4 carts of laptop computers - iBooks and PC
• Multimedia equipment - LCD projectors, digital
  camera, scanner, DVD / VCR

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Interdisciplinary Class at CDH Values Symposium

• Integration of subject content has evolved
• Technology an integral part of instruction
• Teachers model the use of technology
• Class websites, assignments/ handouts online
• Communication-Grades online, student e-mail
• Online discussion boards
• Internet for research, WebQuests, Quia
• MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Macromedia

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Why use electronic portfolios?

• Students are digital learners
• Interactive, multimedia appealing / fun
• Motivates students to publish their best work
• Provides record of learning, growth, and change
• Students take ownership of learning through
  knowledge construction
• Promotes life-long learning
• Students can set and review goals over time
• Documents and reinforces learning

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Why use electronic portfolios?

• Demonstrates integration across subject areas
• Text book for interdisciplinary class
• Tool for differentiated instruction
• Tool for incorporating Blooms Taxonomy
• Communication tool for students, teachers and
  parents
• Brings together curriculum, instruction, and
  assessment

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Benefits of eFolio vs. Web Design Software

• Less time on technical design
• More time and emphasis on content
• Navigation automatically setup
• Provides structure with flexibility for
  creativity
• Multimedia capabilities are user friendly
• Photos, audio, video, PowerPoint

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Benefits of eFolio

• Custom design template for the class is open for
  future expansion
• Archive of learning and achievements throughout
  high school
• Students can work on-line at home, at a library,
  community center, or school
• Student websites are private and password
  protected
• Help and technical support from eFolio

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Benefits of eFolio

• Goes beyond just collecting, selecting, and
  reflecting
• Promotes linking and thinking
• A tool for archiving, storytelling, goal setting
• Promotes pride in publishing - inspires and
  motivates writing across the curriculum
• A tool for life long learning
• The portfolio is an integral part of the
  curriculum

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eFolio Custom Design for the Interdisciplinary
class

• Uses layout of eFolio with a totally different
  purpose
• Deleted all original sections of eFolio
• Added all new sections
• Our design structure creates uniformity for
  grading purposes
• Our section structure creates integration rather
  than traditional segregation of academic subjects

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eFolio Custom Design for the Interdisciplinary
class

• Layers of My Life
• Learning Reflections
• Writing Process and Progress
• Reading Reflections
• My Activities
• Current Events
• Feedback
• Sample Student ZeldaZs Website
• User Name student Password portfolio

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eFolio Custom Design SectionLayers of My Life

• Me, Family, Friends, School, City, State, Nation,
  World
• Simple appealing content
• Teachers get to know students and students get to
  know each other
• Curriculum connection in Community Unit
• Specific content requirement with flexibility for
  creativity
• Reflection component uses Bloom Taxonomy verbs

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eFolio Custom Design Section Learning Reflections

• Three subsections for three trimester units
• Items are added for lesson topics
• Teacher directed reflections on each topic
• Make students aware of and take responsibility
  for their own learning
• Integration of knowledge in subject areas
• Open ended for students to demonstrate extended
  learning

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eFolio Custom Design Section Writing Process and
Progress

• Writing Progress Blog
• Informal How am I doing?
• Teacher or student directed
• Subsection for each assignment
• Reflection as directed by teacher
• Show writing process from first draft to finished
  product
• Open ended for students to publish their own
  non-assigned work
• Demonstrate honors level abilities and learning

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eFolio Custom Design SectionReading Reflections

• Subsection for each reading assignment
• Teacher directed content requirements
• Reflections are teacher directed, but students
  can expand
• Open ended for students to reflect on personal
  choice, non-assigned reading material
• Demonstrate honors level abilities and learning

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eFolio Custom Design Sections

• My Activities
• Clubs, Organizations, Sports, Music, Community
  Service, Achievements, Awards, Travel, JROTC
• Current Events
• Feedback

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eFolio Custom Design for Interdisciplinary Class

• Sections can be turned off or on
• Teachers can assign required sections
• Activities section is optional
• Students are free to add their own sections
  according to interests
• eFolio can be kept throughout high school and
  perhaps used for college admission applications

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Technical aspects of usingeFolio with 9th graders

• Introduction and progress check list
• Sign-up process in class
• Terms of use agreement
• Students type in Custom Design code
• Form errors e-mail address, dates
• Submit one at a time
• First names only

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Technical aspects of usingeFolio with 9th graders

• Demo using Help
• Teacher follow-up ASAP to verify eFolio
  addresses
• Setting up Security access for teachers
• Resizing photos
• Making mistakes is a learning process for
  students and teachers

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Open Forum to share eFolio projects and
experiences

• What value do you see in using eFolio in high
  school classes?
• Are you using eFolio?
• How can we get connected with 9-12 teachers using
  eFolio?

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Using eFolioin a High School Interdisciplinary
Class
Elaine Malley Cretin-Derham Hall High School St.
Paul, Minnesota