Sunday, March 1, 2009
Language Assessment and Standards
ePortfolios have been adopted by the School of Education as an acceptable vehicle for student and course evaluation. One criticism of ePortfolios is their 'subjective' form of analysis. What is your opinion of the use of ePortfolios assessing language learning of students?
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The use of ePortfolios is an innovative method for me but I am beginning to like it. I like the idea that I can save my work and to be able to view and review it at any time. EPortfolios allows me to save not just the written work or artwork but those that I've produced electronically such as powerpoint presentations, and I don't have to have separate collection units such as binders, files, or electronic storage devises. I especially like the idea that I can view my progress over time. As far as subjective analysis, I am comfortable with the rubrics that my instructors have developed for reaching target so that I am able to upload my final work to my portfolio. So far, I have been able to provide input to my work so that I am able to meet target marks for uploading to the portfolio. In most cases, my final work has been initially reviewed by and commented on by the instructor before it is passed for uploading to the ePortfolio. I think the use of ePortfolios is a good way for assessing language learning students. Teacher and student can still provide input to the work and in some cases, it is easier for a language learner to accept the comments of the teacher in a non face-to-face forum. EPortfolios definitely allow students to use and improve their skills in technology thereby increasing their fields of experience in this area. The major drawback is in the availability and accessibility of technology that allows students to be able to electronically produce their work, to upload their work and the means to view and or review completed work.
ReplyDeleteDemonstrating academic growth through the submission and exhibition of artifacts by means of a digital portfolio provides students a variety of opportunities to feature, share and establish academic credibility at several different levels within the academic arena. This activity is of tremendous significance to all educators who are committed to meeting program standards and requirements and for those who value academic growth in our digital world today.
ReplyDeleteThe problem with ePortfolios is that you need a computer or access to one. Other than that, ePortfolios can be a very great way to show the growth from start to finish of an individuals quality of work; it also saves paper. In this day and age of technology ePortfolios is very ideal because of the availability of different types of internet tools.
ReplyDeleteThe argument that e-Portfolios is subjective is not valid. Analyzing e-Portfolios objectively is difficult because the purpose for portfolios is to give ongoing feedback and list accomplishments of the L2 learner.
ReplyDeleteI do not know whether or not portfolios work because I do not have experience with using them. Although, it does seem like a good alternative or tool to make students more comfortable by informally showing their accomplishments. And as Paul mentioned the disadvantage of e-Portfolios is the need of computers. This would be a big problem when schools do not have money for this kind of resource.
Another disadvantage would be is the time to analyze portfolios. Analyzing them would take up a long time.
E-portfolios take us into the current mode of practical and efficient communications. It is the updated form of the traditional portfolios. According to the literature, e-portfolios can be used in three ways: assessment of coursework, display of assignments/special projects, and as a personal developing collection of the student’s work. The challenge in assessing e-portfolios is to correctly assess them for the specific purpose it was assigned. Instructors must determine, as they assess the portfolios, whether the student is demonstrating learning and progress in the language or “showcasing” his or her prowess in the use of technology. The instructor can immediately ascertain whether or not the student is skilled by the appearance of the portfolio. But, what about the student’s progress in the target language? I suppose that is assessed by the content. Does the use of e-portfolios increase learning the target language? My opinion is that this is true to a certain extent, but if the unskilled student becomes frustrated as he learns to use this communication medium, then learning is inhibited. To assess growth and progress in learning a second language may be possible for the student who lacks the skills to create an e-portfolio. Faculty support, a standardized assessment process, and e-portfolio training can lend technical support and encouragement to that student. Of course, the student must then be given additional time to learn the skill or, perhaps, the instructor should require the mastery of e-portfolios before a student can register for the language course.
ReplyDeleteI'm not very familiar with the e-portfolio as of this time, but if it's something like Live Text, I have much to learn about the technology usage of the e-portfolio. I hope that this class will help me further my knowledge of using the computer, live text and e-portfolio. I'm sure that the e-portfolio can help me alleviate the many 3 inch binders that I still have for some of my classes.
ReplyDeleteE-Portfolio saves everything that is needed for future refrences. It is like having your own personal library. Teachers and students can benefit from learning about this important tool.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a great electronic tool for showcasing students' work and understanding of the standards and competencies needed from them. They can reflect on their experiences and make connections on other aspects of their lives, as students and professionals. I must agree with Edna about the challenge of using eportfolio as assessment for the purpose for which it is intended. Yes, at a certain degree,it can definitely be used for assessing language learning of students. But it takes some training, practice and technical support to create one. It can be time consuming. And as argued, not all students have easy access to computers.
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ReplyDeleteWith technology today, e-portfolios can be a positive thing if students/teachers have computer and internet access. Students/teachers are able to upload their assignments, projects, notes, and any information throughout the years using e-portfolios. It is a very resourceful tool. However, on the negative side if students/teachers do not have internet and computer access then we are out of luck.
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a very valuable technology tool for both teacher and students. Not only can we evaluate the students but we can also see how we can make improvement in the future. In students point of view,they can use it to refresh their memory. The only problem I see is that G.P.S.S. does not have the funds to place a computer in each room.
ReplyDeleteI personally think that e-portfolios are one of the best ways of keeping track of students work. As a Chamorro teacher I have used e-portfolios and it was an easy way to evaluate students performances. I have also used it as proof to parents based on their child's progress.
ReplyDeleteI think e-portfolio is an amazing tool that if both teacher and students get familiar with and are properly trained will be at the cutting edge of modern technology. The downfall would be not having computer access, and with the economy the way it is now, I don't forsee G.P.S.S. alocating funds to bring adequate computers into the classrooms. I look forward to the day that teachers and students are given the proper resources it takes to bring technology into the classrooms.
ReplyDeleteI think e-portfolio is a good idea to keep our works electronically. It is like you save your work somewhere without bothering about roaches or losing your flash drive. You can save it for years and you can view it whenever you wish to. The first time I heard about e-portfolio from Dr. Cyrus, I was really scared. It worried me almost throughout the semester. But when I finished with it, it was a totally relieve for my mind. I totally realize that its not that hard but I just have to do my work and understand the steps to do it.
ReplyDeleteI think eportfolios are a great way to analyze student's accomplishments, to roll with the changes that technology has brought forth. However, the main problem is computer access to the students. It is hard to promote technology in the classroom without the proper resources.
ReplyDeleteElectronic Portfolios is a great tech tool for analyzing students work requirements and accomplishments. It would be great to incorporate e-portfolios into our teaching, but as usual there is no to little resources offered to some schools. But if resources were to exist in the classrooms then students would experience this great tool. I would definitely incorporate e- portfolios in my class if I had computers and internet services.
ReplyDeleteI feel in my opinion that this is a good technology tool to analyze language learners in their work. This is a very good assessment tool.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem is that not every students will have access at home or school to the computer.
I personally believe that there are both negatives and positives in means of e-portfolios in assessing language learning in students. I would have to agree with both Liz and Paul when they speak of money and the resources to fund such things. Speaking hypothetically, if we did have the funding and teachers had access to such tools as a computer I think it would be a great way to display the accomplishemts of students during any given school year.
ReplyDeleteI think that e-portfolios in college is very good for it makes students keep up with technology.It is a very good tech tool. They sure beat the thick binders. As far as using e-portfolios in the schools, especially the public elementary schools, chances are not good for most classrooms don't even have computers.I think it's going to quite a long time before we can really see some tech improvement in the public schools. I think maybe junior high school level and high school level things might be better or faster at getting more technology oriented. Even with the wonderful tech tool like the e-portfolios what is the chance of students submitting them in? If GPSS can't provide the computers at school how about the parents? Not too many can afford to buy computers for their children.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I truly feel that an e-portfolio is an effiecient electronic tool for students' to display their assignments and more importantly their knowledge of the course content. It also allows those individuals who are not techno savvy such as myself, to get in some extra practice on the big bad computer! Furthermore, there may be some argument that arise about the issue of not being able to access a computer, but just a reminder: we pay tuition which not only goes to the CHARTER DAY entertainment but to our much used computer lab.
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ReplyDeleteAll of the responses have been positive. It will be interesting to see how/whether your views change after you have created your own ePortfolio for this class.
-j-