Connections

I can relate to the article “Making Meaningful Connections in an ePortfolio” because while attending Iowa Wesleyan College, I had to create a portfolio, this was used for all of my classes. By the time I graduated I had a collage of tangible evidence to show when I went to interview to be a teacher. I was able to show what I had learned and experienced through my teaching degree. As I started teaching, I would create binders for all students, in which we called them portfolios. It was not digital, but it was the same concept. We would start from the beginning of the year until the end of the year. The students were able to see what they had created and how they had progressed. I also held student led conferences, so that students could be responsible for their learning, introducing their classroom to their parents, the work they had accomplished and how they were learning and growing.

I was a bit apprehensive in the first class, I was confused as to what direction we were heading, now into the 2nd class, I feel a little better.

The Digital Learning and Leading was intimidating to me, even though it offers so many things that I have wanted to learn for so long. It has been a somewhat roller coaster of an experience for me, as I was lost, I needed more structure and guidance. Of course this was because all I knew was a fixed mindset. I do feel more comfortable now, I hope the 2nd class opens my chances to become more open minded. The technology and how to build things is new to me, I have always wanted to be able to do these things, but I was afraid to step outside of my comfort zone. I now see that the ePortfolio is a work of art and ever changing. I started it in the first class, but now I can see things that I already need to adjust and change, I need to tweek it to make it more personal. I find myself looking forward to the next step and what we will be working on next.