Week 4: Assessment

Electronic Portfolios as Digital Stories of Deep Learning

Here are their ten research-based principles of Assessment for Learning (AFL) to guide classroom practice:

• AFL should be part of effective planning of teaching and learning
• AFL should focus on how students learn
• AFL should be recognized as central to classroom practice
• AFL should be regarded as a key professional skill for teachers
• AFL should be sensitive and constructive because any assessment has an emotional impact
• AFL should take account of the importance of (and foster) learner motivation
• AFL should promote commitment to learning goals and a shared understanding of the criteria by which they are assessed
• AFL develops learners’ capacity for self-assessment so that they can become reflective and self-managing
• AFL should recognize the full range of achievements of all learners
• Learners should receive constructive guidance about how to improve

The principles that are highlighted above were very personable to me in my current position. I am currently teaching 6th grade and in my school district we have implemented problem based learning in our classrooms and the concept of problem based learning directly relates to these principles. Through problem based learning students aren't simply assessed by answering questions on paper but they are given assessments that provide them with real world problems that need to be solved. Students are challenged to use critical thinking skills and research in order to find solutions to the problems that they are given.

Electronic Portfolio Assessment
Lorenzo, G. & Ittelson, J. (2005) An overview of e-portfolios. Educause Learning Initiative, ELI aper,1-28. Retrieved February 12, 2012 http://www.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI3001.pdf

I am supportive of the electronic portfolio's simply because I agree with the definition given in the article above, which says that e-portfolios enhance teaching, learning, and assessment practices. I also believe that an electronic portfolio is preferable among employers when someone is seeking employment. E-portfolios gives a visual an electronic visual of your experiences and knowledge gained throughout your educational career. The electronic portfolio will allow me to have an electronic copy of my accomplishments in one central location. The portfolio gives me the opportunity to learn through experience so that I am able to apply teaching practices that I have learned in my own classroom.