Dr. Thibodeaux’s explanation in the “LMD EP30 ePortfolio Why” video emphasizes how creating an ePortfolio is about “who we can connect with” (2020). I absolutely agree! It provides us with great opportunities for connection.
I started the EDLD program in the summer of 2019. I was in my second year of teaching and was really starting to engage in teaching with technology in the classroom. I took a break from the Digital Learning and Leading program over the 2019-2020 school year. Our district was encouraging participation in developing a professional learning network through Twitter competitions between grade levels and subject areas.
My ePortfolio website was linked to my Twitter profile and about half-way through the 2019-2020 school year, one of our district technology specialists reached out to me complimenting my website. He proceeded to invite me to an area-wide professional development for technology specialists. Following that, I was given the opportunity to present about Flipgrid at a district-wide professional development. These opportunities would not have come without creating an ePortfolio!
Creating an ePortfolio allowed me to consolidate my learning and share it with others. Having the opportunity to connect and successfully share my learning was so powerful. It helped others see what I was passionate and learning about. It provided credibility and examples of how I was growing. It helped me get to a point where I was no longer just consuming in my Professional Learning Network, but also creating and contributing to it!
In Karen Barnstable’s post (2010), 41 Benefits of an ePortfolio, the very first reason listed was about self-reflection in the reflection process. Reading through the post, I was reminded over the power of self-reflection. One of my greatest take-aways from the Education program at Baylor University was the importance of reflection. We always reflected- whether it was after a week of teaching, lesson studies, action-research projects, professional developments, anything- reflection was emphasized.
I loved working with a Professional Learning Community (PLC) at Robinson ISD because it allowed us a time to reflect, share and grow. Now that I am working at a school where I am the only math teacher for 6th and 7th grade math, it is important for me to still reflect and grow.
Having an ePortfolio is an effective tool for perpetuating this mentality of constantly growing and reflecting. I am grateful for such a good reminder to constantly reach out to develop a Professional Learning Network (PLN) that extends past the walls of my school. We never know when we are going to connect with our PLN differently!
References
Barnstable, K. (2010, September 30). 41 Benefits of an ePortfolio. Retrieved November 28, 2020, from https://kbarnstable.wordpress.com/2010/01/08/41-benefits-of-an-eportfolio/
Thibodeaux, T., & Harapnuik, D. (Directors). (2020, May 25). LMD EP30 ePortfolio Why [Video file]. Retrieved November 27, 2020, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hx304CW-gKU&feature=emb_title
Education with Meaning 