Simplify!

I am in the process of updating my online presence and have realized that I have little bits of my work posted in many different locations. Over the next few days, I will be relocating all of that information to this page. I will be including the original posted dates, so I am hoping that it doesn't update all my social media feeds each time I repost- but if it does, enjoy reading!

Portfolio Life in Space: NASA ISS and Astrobiology

As you know, I am in the process of completing my masters in education from Adams State University. I am working through their Curriculum and Instruction program which will include a STEM certification offered by the Endeavor STEM Teaching Certificate Project through Columbia Teachers College. These courses have been some of the most engaging and interesting courses I have taken throughout my LONG educational career. Not only are the instructors knowledgeable, but they are timely in their feedback and the course content is meant to be directly applicable to the classroom- not just a study on theories.

For the past semester, I have been working through various content related to NASA's International Space Station and the concept of Astrobiology. Despite the topic being on the lower end of my interest scale, I learned a great deal and feel that my students are getting an opportunity to work with the required standards in a little bit different context. This course had five main objectives that I have selected artifacts to demonstrate how I have implemented concepts in my classroom. In order to share my work, I utilized the new Google Sites to create a digital portfolio. Due to the craziness that always comes with the logistics of being a teacher, some of the projects are still ongoing.

Digital Portfolios

Our school utilizes traditional portfolios that we have called “Learning Logs.” These binders collect data to document the student’s year in school. At the middle level, it is intended for students to have a great deal of ownership, however, I’ve noticed that it’s a big push at the end of the trimester to write a reflection for the semester. I would like to find a more authentic tool that would require students to reflect on a regular basis for their portfolio.

I moved to interactive notebooks in my math and science classes last year which served as a portfolio of sorts because all of their work was included in the notebook. The main considerations for creating a digital portfolio is how can students best demonstrate learning and mastery and create a showcase of their work all in one place. Another consideration is the authentic audience for the portfolio. In past, the portfolios have been designed for the parents and I feel that the portfolio would be a much more authentic demonstration of learning and growth if the audience were the students themselves. They should have a portfolio that they are proud of which will encourage them to do their best work.

Between the courses through this EdTechTeam Online Teacher Leader Certificate and the other professional development sessions I have attended (GAFE summits, Google Bootcamps, Webinars, etc.), I have a wealth of tools to research and investigate as to which will be the most effective digital portfolio tool.