Going from 80 to 1800 in a year: midpoint reflections on the processes of supporting ePortfolio adoption at scale R John RobertsonSloan C ET4Online #et40nline02999Las Vegas, NV 2013-04-10
Context
UW Oshkosh
● Established 1871● Third largest
institution in the University of Wisconsin system
● Average Composite ACT 22.4
● Average High School Rank 68.5
http://www.uwosh.edu/home/about-uw-oshkosh/about-uw-oshkosh/fast-facts
Coming Fall 2013
USP
● First Year Experience ● Three key themes ● Small (25) cohort classes
for theme courses and paired WBIS/Comm
● Seeking to document learning in an ePortfolio.
Do. Or not do...
[Imagine Yoda]
USP Team & ePortfolios
● An ePortfolio specialist
● Recruited, appointed, started mid July
UW Oshkosh and ePortfolios
One centrally funded and supported platform (D2L ePortfolio)● ~80 users
At least 4 different other systems in use on campus
video
Challenges for ePortfolio Adoption
Challenges - Scale of Change
● Approximately 250 courses and at least 200 instructors directly involved○ Institution has approximately 335 faculty and 300
academic staff● 1800 first year students
Challenges - Administration
● Faculty Senate● USP committee● Assessment committee● USP Council● Every department offering a gen ed course● Many other units on campus
Challenges - Meaning
● ePortfolio as a software tool
or● ePortfolio as a
pedagogical process
Challenges - Meaning
● ePortfolio as a showcase
or ● ePortfolio as a
process
Theory of ePortfolios
“... the benefit of e-portfolios has more to do with the active process of e-portfolio development than with the portfolio product ...the development of the e-Portfolio over time as key”
Stefani, Mason, Pegler (2007)The Educational Potential of ePortfolios: supporting personal development and reflective learning p19
Challenges - Purpose
What is the ePortfolio for?● Demonstrating
institutional effectiveness
● Learning and teaching development
● Student's showcasing their work to employers
Challenges - Process
● ePortfolio new for most instructors
● there will be new hires
Challenges - Process
● The idea of a program level ePortfolio● The need to help students frame assignments
in a wider picture
Challenges- Pedagogy
How do we help instructors develop reflection components for their classes? ● for this many instructors?
● in a pit class?○ What does a reflective MCQ look like?
● genuinely tied to disciplinary knowledge?
Challenges - Technology
● Thinking technology does xyz; discovering it does uwx but not xyz
● Guarantees about software sustainability● Export● Terminology
○ D2L ePortfolio○ Presentations
video
Responses
Responses - Pilot
Pilot5-6 instructors~200 students
Different starting pointsExamining issues formativelyChallenge of summative reviewSupport resources endorsed
Responses- Professional Development
● Going to every meeting and training opportunity with the wider program that I can
● Enhancing Student Learning: reflection and the ePortfolio process workshop series
http://www.uwosh.edu/lt/e-learning-development/eportfolio/eportfolio-and-reflection-workshops
Responses - Reference Resources
Resources
● USP site● LT site● D2L FAQ● Guides and Brochures● Access points for
students?
Responses - Seek Funding
Identify specific needs and funding sources● Programming support for making the export
more usable● Student workers to run drop in labs for
students during the semesters
Responses - Draw on Expertise
● Colleagues● Research● Student Ambassadors
Responses - Disseminate
Why?● visibility● different audiences● fresh eyes● experience● feedback and
discussion
So why do we think ePortfolio matters?
Provost's Office
"The use of the ePortfolio provides students with opportunities to comment on their own learning using their own words. Traditionally, students have received feedback from others. In the ePortfolio process, students are critically analyzing their own learning, making connections and planning next steps in the evolution of their learning. They are becoming aware of their own learning strengths and can build upon them as continue in their learning journey."
Dr. Carleen Vande Zande (AVC Assessment)
video
Two questions
What one thing do you think we should be most focused on now?
Two questions
What one thing from this session can you take back to your context?
Concluding thoughts
Learning opportunities
● Spotting and acknowledging mistakes
● Assumptions
The biggest critical success factor?
● Widespread support and enthusiasm
● A dedicated voice ● A dedicated
explorer
Ongoing questions
● Export (what, when, to where)● Analytics and data ● How do we ensure students keep their
portfolios up to date?● Student support beyond FAQ and resource
sites ● Reflection in the disciplines and MCQ