How have you or your schools utilized ePortfolios? I haven't utilized an eportfolio yet but am excited to create my online portfolio using Google Sites. I've started working with Google Sites to lay out the outline and rough draft of my eportfolio. This is the first time that I'm actually creating a site in Google Sites. At first I was really nervous about the tool; I was having a difficult time finding my way around. After making a few errors and figuring out how to undo them, I think I now have a good handle on the basics of Google Sites. I plan to watch some tutorials online to learn about some of the intermediate/advanced features of Google Sites that I might be able to use for my eportfolio as well. My school system is currently researching student eportfolios so this course comes at the perfect time. I'll be able to share my firsthand experience with creating an eportfolio with the Technology Committee and provide guidance with this new endeavor that we are trying to implement K-12. The portfolios would be for students to demonstrate their mastery and experience with ISTE's NETS for Students. This is a huge shift for our system from assessing very specific technology objectives (like "copy" and "paste") to 21st Century skills that the NETS identify.
Reflect on the applications shared and whether they are applicable to your situation.
So far, I like how Google Sites is taking shape for my eportfolio. A few other applications that I could see fit well with eportfolios include blogs and wikis. There are so many different gadgets that can be added to a blog to make it more functional that just basic posts. Also, a wiki could be created to act like an "online binder" with various categories that would house artifacts, etc. I have the most experience working with wikis as I use them for each of the classes that I teach as well as any professional development sessions/workshops that I put on but I'm excited about having this course opportunity to "force" me to use Google Sites so I have experience with this tool.
