Using Digital Portfolios
I am in the process of creating a digital portfolio to publish work I have done over the course of my time at Michigan State University. I am putting up lesson plans, other teaching related papers and assignments, a poetry book I created and more. This serves as a way for me to reflect on what I have done and see how my teaching philosophies and abilities have changed over time. It is also a way for my family, friends, possible employers, etc. to see the work I have done. View my portfolio here.
Part of why it is important for me to have this portfolio is because I plan on using digital portfolios in my future classes. Having my own portfolio to show students will help demonstrate the possibilities and importance. Using portfolios with elementary students would create something longterm for students to look back at, save space in the classroom, and create all kinds of opportunities for multimedia creating, among other things. I am excited about the possibilities of using digital portfolios with my classes. This article helps explain these ideas.
Ideas for Using Blogs
How can I use a blog as a teacher?
Test student understanding
Update parents
Homework directions
Teacher to Teacher blogs
Newsletter
Post resources or reminders
“About me” page
Discussion Board
Study Tips
Community Activities
Recommend Books
Update absent students
Organization
How can I have my students use blogs?
Post questions
Literary discussions
Journals
Profile
Personal interests
Connect to community
Pen Pals
Map Mashing: Use #1 – Take your students around the world!
A technology that I am excited to use in my future classrooms is map mashing.One possible way to use the technology (such as Google Maps) is to create a virtual field trip. When you cannot physically visit a place, going there virtually can be an exciting alternative if it is done right.
This could work in a lot of ways from posting pictures, text, and audio that you create, or using virtual tours created by museums or other institutions but using the map mashing to organize it. View a sample tour of Washington D.C. and the three branches of government that I created. Later, I will be creating my own tours and elaborating on this post.
