AAA Archive 

e-Portfolio

"We do not learn from experience...we learn from reflecting on experience.” ― John Dewey
Background
Andria Rogers, Director of Information Technology approached AAA with the idea of utilizing e-Portfolio technology within AAA 090. A team was put together that included Ryan Barone, then Assistant Director of FYE and now Director of Student Leadership & Development, Rachel Veretto, then Coordinator and now Assistant Director of FYE and Denise Pearson, Chair of AAA. Over the course of multiple meetings during Spring 2015, the vendor Foliotek was selected after multiple demos were seen from various companies and plans were made to pilot  e-Portfolio in AAA 090 for Summer, Fall and Spring 2015.  After the pilots, the team will reconvene to look into making it a widespread initiative across all AAA 090 classes.

Overview
An e-Portfolio is a learning space in AAA 090 to provide students with the  opportunity to create  “a digital identity that reflects their values, skills, and accomplishments" (Reynolds & Patton, 103).  

Through the process of creating an ePortfolio, students should be able to
  1. Present their strengths, values, work related experiences, plans and goals for the future in a professional manner that can be applied to future applications for scholarships, internships, transfer applications and jobs. Professionalism 
  2. Compile "artifacts" or academic experiences that demonstrate their progress towards at least two selected Institutional Learning Outcomes; Explain how the "artifacts" selected represent their learning in those areas at this point in their education. Critical Thinking
  3. Use navigation features within an e-Portfolio software (Foliotek) technology. Problem Solving
Pilot Objectives 2015-16

  • AAA 090 Curriculum: Redesign the existing AAA 090 curriculum to infuse an e-Portfolio as a progressive and culminating project. This includes creation of handouts, adjusting the syllabus and course outline. (Draft Finished) 
  • ePortfolio Template: Create a master template for students to use when developing their own e-Portfolio that will guide them in the process and allow for personalization.  (Draft Finished http://AAA090Template.foliotek.me/)
  • Assessment:  The e-Portfolio project will be assessed in multiple ways.
    1. Direct Indicator of Student Learning: A rubric focused on the three student learning outcomes will be used to grade and assess learning within the e-Portfolios .  
    2. Indirect Indicator of Student Learning: Open ended questions will be included in the pre/post assessment to assess the degree to which stated e-Portfolio learning outcomes have been met and gain qualitative data of student experiences.  
    3. Possible Ways to Assess Impact: Sections of AAA 090 that used the Portfolio can be compared to sections that do not, examining any differences in terms of completion of AAA 090, GPA in the course and general AAA learning gains (pre/post assessment). Comparison of semester completion rates, higher grade point averages and retention to their second semester for students who complete the e-Portfolio could be examined in the future to determine impact to retention. 
  • Program Evaluation: Subsequently after each pilot, the e-Portfolio implementation team will evaluate the program and make changes. Student and instructor feedback will be used to assess effectiveness and inform any changes. The intention of the pilot is to potentially inform a wider adoption of an e-Portfolio in all AAA 090 classes offered and provide data to make a strong case for additional budget to cover the costs associated.
Fall 2015 Results
  • Best Overall: Mike Strom & Jennifer Berning
  • Best Design: Jaelynn Melville
  • Best Use of Technology: Michael Moser
  • Most Reflective: Diana Nichols
Summer 2015 Results
Summer 2015 ePortfolio Award Winners

Evaluation
ePortfolio has been piloted in select sections of AAA090 since the summer of 2015 (learning ePortfolio) and also in the Catalyst program since fall 2015 (career ePortfolio). Outcomes focused on self-reported gains in confidence related to information technology as well as the ability to articulate ones strengths and assets in future interview and networking experiences. Results of this pilot have been mixed with students seeing great value in the overall experience of exposure to emerging technologies, but citing lack of time to engage with ePortfolio beyond classroom and program expectations. Additionally, some felt that ePortfolio served as another “cloud” to house documents and projects rather than as an opportunity to showcase their skills and abilities. It has been determined that institutional assessment and career services would be more appropriately equipped to scale this technology campus-wide. AAA and Catalyst will continue to be a touch-point for career services to market this technology to students.

Hansen Grant Application

AQIP Action Project Application

Description

Partnering with the Information Technology (IT) Department, AAA, and Catalyst, this activity tested the function and utility of a student ePortfolio as a tool to document learning and growth (2014-2016).

Challenges/Opportunities

During the first pilot year of ePortfolio it became clear that combining a learning and career-focused ePortfolio is inadvisable due to conflicting purposes.  The working group demoed products with several vendors and felt confident that Foliotek was the best vendor for Aims.  The pilot in the AAA090 courses was embraced by some students, but for new students unfamiliar with technology learning ePortfolio in addition to course content was challenging.  The pilot in Catalyst was optional for students, and many students choose not to participate, and those who did engaged at vastly different levels.  Due to staff and faculty time constraints, it was also challenging to offer a comprehensive student experience without any additional employee time allocated for the project.  The team systematically collected data on the impacts of ePortfolio, and now has the necessary information to make division and institutional recommendations as it relates to the future of ePortfolio at Aims Community College.

Data/Outcomes Achieved

Data collected from use of ePortfolio in AAA and Catalyst are mixed.  Many students appreciated the learning tool, and for others adopting the new technology was difficult.  A pre/posttest assessing specifically the ePortfolio was administered at the end of summer 2015, fall 2015, and spring 2016 in AAA classes and in fall 2015 for Catalyst (N=78).

·         Using ePortfolio in AAA this semester caused me to engage in more critical thinking than if I took AAA without using an ePortfolio – 76% agreed or strongly agreed.

·         Due to using an ePortfolio for AAA, I feel more prepared to personally track my learning and growth as a college student – 76% agreed or strongly agreed.

·         What did you like about ePortfolio being incorporated into the AAA classroom activities and assignments:

o   It made me think harder into what I am doing and how I am. And it showed me more of how to professionally show myself.

o   It was a way to personalize who we are and what we are good at, was not as plain as a normal resume.

o   I think it’s a great tool to showcase all that you have learned. It can showcase your best work in many areas.

o   Something I liked about ePortfolio was that I was able to learn new technology.

·         What did you dislike about ePortfolio being incorporated into the AAA classroom activities and assignments:

o   I don’t ever see myself using this in real life.

o   It wasn’t useful to me. I don’t’ think that when I’m in an interview that the owner/manager will ask me questions about my ePortfolio.

o   It will be better suited for students who are about to obtain their degree from Aims.

o   I did not like the fact that I am not very good with new technology and there wasn’t much time in class to get help from the instructor.

·         The career-focused ePortfolio option with Catalyst students resulted in 63% reporting that they actively engaged with the tool during fall 2015.

·         Additionally, 73% of Catalyst students agreed or strongly agreed that they would use an ePortfolio if the institution continued to pay for the annual subscription.

Closing the Loop

National trends and best practices motivated staff in IT and FYE to implement an ePortfolio program at Aims.  However, as the pilot was individualized to Aims and the student needs on this campus, adjustments related to platform, content, and overall use of ePorfolio were assessed and outcomes were only fair. The leadership team overseeing this pilot determined that neither first-semester academic programs nor co-curricular programs are best suited as the learning space for this emerging technology.

Next Steps

The ePortfolio pilot sunsetted after spring 2016 in both AAA and Catalyst. Career Services has adopted ePortfolio as part of its suite of services offered to current students,. Career Services has the human resources needed to offer support to students wishing to engage in this technology to enhance their application materials during the job seeking process. The lessons learned during the pilot will be shared with campus stakeholders to inform future discussions and exploration of ePortfolio as an assessment of learning tool at Aims.

Goal Alignment

BOT Goals, Aims Strategic Plan, HLC/AQIP Indicators


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