E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore!

Powerful New Ways to Use ePortfolios in the Classroom

The E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate program at UW-Stout includes the class by class development of an online portfolio. The portfolio features artifacts of learning that demonstrate both the technical expertise and theoretical knowledge regarding e-learning and online teaching. During the Practicum, in addition to actively teaching in an online class, participants finalize their portfolios with an emphasis on career development. Portfolios help distinguish any application for an online teaching job. 

Here's an overview of the e-Portfolio project that is finalized during the E-Learning Practicum. Numerous examples from program graduates are included.





This video will give you additional insight to ePortfolios:

This week's blog features top resources and emerging uses of ePortfolios in the classroom, including reflective practice and implementation challenges. Explore new ways of using digital portfolios to showcase, assess and deepen learning.

Googlios
This site is where Google tools meet ePortfolios.  It offers a  collection of resources for those interested in using ePortfolios in Education. You will also find solid videos and examples using Google Sites.

Making Learning Visible and Meaningful Through Electronic Portfolios
Terrell Rhodes provides examples of how several higher ed campuses use rubrics with eportfolios to provide multi-dimensional evidence of students' abilities.

ePortfolios with Google Apps
Helen Barrett's extensive experience with eportfolios is evident in her comprehensive guide to using Google Apps for ePortfolios.

Is the Future of ePortfolios in Your Pocket?
Helen Barrett challenges educators to consider how mobile learning tools can be used to capture learning "on the fly"  for ongoing revision of eportfolios.

The Learning Portfolio: Reflective Practice for Improving Student Learning (pdf - 19 pages)
John Zubizaretta describes key questions to consider when developing effective portfolios to support reflective learning. Included are sample questions to help students reflect on their learning.

ePortfolio Rubric
Joan Vandervelde's rubric can be used for assessment of student eportfolios.

A 10-Step Plan for Getting Started with ePortfolios
 Nick Rate's slideshare presentation describes the thought processes behind the ten steps needed to implement a successful eportfolio program.

Electronic Portfolios for Student Learning?
Amy Cavendar offers five key questions for all educators to consider when implementing eportfolios.

Tech Tip: Google Docs Secrets: 21 Power Tips For the Productivity Suite

Keir Thomas provides some little-known tips about Google Docs features, such as: creating drawings within presentations, fixing pictures into position, and dragging images directly from the desktop in Firefox or Chrome.


This post is based on the work and research of Karen Franker, Editor of UW-Stout's Tech Tips for Educators. Karen provides a rich archive of information that is constantly updated. Visit and Bookmark!


Read More about Finding E-Learning Jobs! 
Here are more articles about strategies for finding online work, and the kinds of preparation and paperwork you should be working on: 

1. Where and How to Find E-Learning Jobs
2. Finding E-Learning Jobs
3. Finding Online Teaching Jobs: Are you a Online Teaching, Adjunct Instructor, K-12 Virtual Teacher? 
4. E-Portfolios for Career Development: It's not just resumes anymore!
5. Make Money Teaching Online 
6. Successful Techniques and Proven Strategies for Finding Online Teaching Work

E-Learning for Educators Register Now: Fall 2011 UW-Stout Online

ONLINE COURSE EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators 3 semester hours graduate credit

Adjunct Professors, K-12 Educators, Corporate Trainers, Health Educators, Curriculum specialists: Hone your skills so you can compete in a growing job market!

Explore online and blended applications for e-learning using an open source learning management system, Moodle, and the D2L learning management system. You will have the opportunity to create your course content with Moodle, an inexpensive way for educators to create an effective online course.

The course provides a strong foundation in e-learning and online teaching theory and technology.  Emphasis is on developing a community of practice founded on critical reflection, personal interaction, and rich experiences with web 2.0 tools. E-Learning for Educators is is the recommended first course in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate program.

Activities include hands-on experience with Web 2.0 tools such as social bookmarking, blogs, podcasts,  personalized search tools, surveys, quizzes, and discussion systems.

This course prepares learners to lead and manage instructional challenges in a variety of online settings in educational institutions, corporations, the military, health care and government agencies. The emphasis is on what you can use right now in your teaching or training.

This course introduces educators to the hands on realities of teaching online. Using Moodle and D2L teach and learn as both a student and an instructor.  Discover e-learning best practices and create discussion forums, online surveys, quizzes and e-portfolios.

EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators 3 graduate credits
This is the introductory course in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate, is an approved elective in the online Master of Science in Education degree program, and is open as an individual course to students seeking professional development.

Sections are nearly full:

Dates
Choose one section:
EDUC 760 900 September 19- November 11, 2011 Instructor: Jim Erbe
EDUC 760 901 October 3 – November 30, 2011 Instructor: Dennis O'Connor
EDUC 760 902 October 3 – November 30, 2011 Instructor: Sara Turansky

Register Now Course Info

 ------------------------------

What students are saying:

"It was a great first experience with online learning!  I would, I have, and I will, recommend the course to colleagues with whom I work, and I would consider another online course without hesitation. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!" 
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California

"I enjoyed the instructor(s) and their focus on organization and professionalism."
~ Instructor at Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

"Prior to beginning the class, one of my most strongly held notions was that the interaction and level of engagement in an online course environment could not come close to the experience one has in a face to face class. While I don't know that I am ready to fully embrace the concept that one should be able to earn a high school diploma or a Bachelor's degree completely online,  I certainly believe there is tremendous value, rigor, and powerful sense of community that can be developed in a thoughtfully constructed course with a skilled teacher shepherding the process. "
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California

Adjunct Professor: Kay Lehmann's Dream Job:

Dr. Kay Lehman & Lisa Chamberlin co-teach UW-Stout's EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities in E-Learning.  

Kay and I first met when we were going to school together (online) earning our masters degrees in online teaching and learning. She has been a vital part of my personal learning network ever since. In many ways an adjunct professor is like a rōnin samurai. We have to keep our skills sharp to survive in a challenging landscape.


Since so many readers of this blog are seeking to advance their online teaching careers I want to share a blog post Kay did recently on the realities and strategies of working online. Kay is wise and highly skilled.  

In all fairness... I do have a dream job!

"...It works because I've made it work. I've curated a full time job by piecing together courses from several institutions, freelance-style, within an educational industry that has yet to figure out what its going to be when it grows up and become technologically self-aware."

http://transparentignorance.blogspot.com/2010/12/in-all-fairness-i-do-have-dream-job.html

Kay gives you an unvarnished inside look at the world of an adjunct professor. Great advice and a realistic look at our profession. ~Dennis

Bloom's Taxonomy meets Google Applications: Thank you Kathy Schrock!

Here is another thoughtful and interesting project from Kathy Schrock.  The graphic is interactive. Click the Google App image and you'll open the Google tool.

Just thinking about how these Technologies relate to the levels of Blooms Taxonomy is a step in the right direction. What is the right direction? How do we engage today's learners? 

Answer: Use modern technology for enhanced critical thinking.

kathyschrock.net/googleblooms

no_tag

Grade Comments and Formative Evaluation

One of the absolute essentials in any Learning Management System is a way to provide private comments to students via the gradebook.

I created this how-to video tutorial as a guide for participants in our E-Learning Practicum Class.   All who earn the E-Learning Graduate Certificate experience an internship during which they teach online in one of our graduate courses.

This video explains just how and why I use grade comments In D2L as a primary way of connecting with students.  http://www.screenr.com/embed/wff



Please share this post with those who might be interested?

Click through the share on Facebook and Twitter links found on the right hand panel? This helps us spread the word about our program!

Let me ask you all: How often do you receive personalized formative evaluation from your online teachers?

Summer 2011 Online: E-Learning For Educators

ONLINE COURSE EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators 3 semester hours graduate credit

Explore online and blended applications for e-learning using an open source learning management system, Moodle, and the D2L learning management system. You will have the opportunity to create your course content with Moodle, an inexpensive way for educators to create an effective online course.

The course provides a strong foundation in e-learning and online teaching theory and technology.  Emphasis is on developing a community of practice founded on critical reflection, personal interaction, and rich experiences with web 2.0 tools. E-Learning for Educators is is the recommended first course in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate program.

Activities include hands-on experience with Web 2.0 tools such as social bookmarking, blogs, podcasts,  personalized search tools, surveys, quizzes, and discussion systems.

This course prepares learners to lead and manage instructional challenges in a variety of online settings in educational institutions, corporations, the military, health care and government agencies. The emphasis is on what you can use right now in your teaching or training.

This course introduces educators to the hands on realities of teaching online. Using Moodle and D2L teach and learn as both a student and an instructor.  Discover e-learning best practices and create discussion forums, online surveys, quizzes and e-portfolios.

EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators 3 graduate credits
This is the introductory course in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate, is an approved elective in the online Master of Science in Education degree program, and is open as an individual course to students seeking professional development.

Sections are nearly full: 

Dates
Choose one section:
EDUC 760 960 June 13 - August 5, 2011 Instructor: Becky Mather
EDUC 760 961 June 13 - August 5, 2011 Instructor: Sara Turansky
EDUC 760 962 June 13 - August 5, 2011 Instructor: Dennis O'Connor

Register Now Course Info

 ------------------------------
 
What students are saying:

"It was a great first experience with online learning!  I would, I have, and I will, recommend the course to colleagues with whom I work, and I would consider another online course without hesitation. I couldn't have asked for a better experience!" 
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California

"I enjoyed the instructor(s) and their focus on organization and professionalism."
~ Instructor at Waukesha County Technical College, Pewaukee, Wisconsin

"Prior to beginning the class, one of my most strongly held notions was that the interaction and level of engagement in an online course environment could not come close to the experience one has in a face to face class. While I don't know that I am ready to fully embrace the concept that one should be able to earn a high school diploma or a Bachelor's degree completely online,  I certainly believe there is tremendous value, rigor, and powerful sense of community that can be developed in a thoughtfully constructed course with a skilled teacher shepherding the process. "
~ Middle School Librarian, Los Angeles, California

E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate (UW-Stout!)

University of Wisconsin-Stout
School of Education
Online Professional Development 

E-Learning and Online Teaching Graduate Certificate http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html

• Are you looking for an E-learning and Online Teaching Certificate program?
• Is your institution rapidly developing online courses and programs?
• Are you looking for a new career or a way to supplement your current salary?
• Our courses benefit educators interested in effectively teaching online or blended courses. 

Spring registration is open. Sign up soon.

Courses are completely online; no travel to campus required.
8-Week Online Courses Recommended Course Sequence  

• EDUC 760 E-Learning for Educators two start date options:  February 8, 2010 or March 22, 2010
   
• EDUC 762 Assessment in E-Learning Begins January 11, 2010
   
• EDUC 763 Instructional Design for E-Learning  Begins February 1, 2010
   
• EDUC 761 Creating Collaborative Communities in E-Learning Begins January 25, 2010
   
• EDUC 764 E-Learning Practicum  (Prerequisite: Completion of EDUC 760, 761, 762, 763 and Consent of Instructor)
   

For more information, visit http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html You may enroll in any single course for professional development or complete all four courses and the practicum to receive the Certificate in E-Learning and Online Teaching.

Courses can be used to fulfill requirements in the Master of Science in Education, Master of Science in Career and Technical Education and Ed.S. in Career and Technical Education degree programs.
Benefits

• Expert facilitation by veteran online educators
• Small highly interactive classes
• Professional quality projects for an e-portfolio to aid in job searches
• Career mentoring and job placement assistance
• Credits may also apply as electives in three different UW-Stout graduate degree programs
• Highly competitive tuition (tuition is the same for Wisconsin residents, out-of-state and international students)

The courses model best practices in e-learning with interactive discussions and hands-on experiences

• creating and using blogs, wikis, and other social tools
• integrating video and podcasts
• adopting best practices for engaging class discussions and assignments
• designing authentic assessment activities, quizzes and grading options 
• building strong communication activities in your online class
• motivating online students who are falling behind      
• managing your online teaching workload

If you have any questions, please contact Dennis O'Connor, the program adviser, at (530) 318-1145 or email oconnord@uwstout.edu

REGISTER SOON  

Register online today to reserve a spot at: http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/register.shtml

Mark university billing (do not include credit card info) and no tuition payment is due until mid January.