Reflections from the midst of our process of implementing ePortfolios in the University Studies program. presentation given at et4online last April

1. Going from 80 to 1800 in a
year: midpoint reflections
on the processes of
supporting ePortfolio
adoption at scale
R John Robertson
Sloan C ET4Online #et40nline02999
Las Vegas, NV 2013-04-10

2. Context

3. 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

4. Coming Fall 2013

5. 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.

6. Do. Or not do...
[Imagine Yoda]

7. USP Team & ePortfolios
● An ePortfolio
specialist
● Recruited, appointed,
started mid July

8. UW Oshkosh and ePortfolios
One centrally funded and
supported platform (D2L
ePortfolio)
● ~80 users
At least 4 different other
systems in use on campus

9. video

10. Challenges for ePortfolio Adoption

11. 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

12. Challenges - Administration
●
●
●
●
●
●
Faculty Senate
USP committee
Assessment committee
USP Council
Every department offering a gen ed course
Many other units on campus

13. Challenges - Meaning
● ePortfolio as a
software tool
or
● ePortfolio as a
pedagogical
process

14. Challenges - Meaning
● ePortfolio as a
showcase
or
● ePortfolio as a
process

15. 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

16. Challenges - Purpose
What is the ePortfolio for?
● Demonstrating
institutional
effectiveness
● Learning and teaching
development
● Student's showcasing
their work to employers

17. Challenges - Process
● ePortfolio new for
most instructors
● there will be new
hires

18. Challenges - Process
● The idea of a program level ePortfolio
● The need to help students frame assignments
in a wider picture

19. 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?

20. Challenges - Technology
● Thinking technology does xyz; discovering it
does uwx but not xyz
● Guarantees about software sustainability
● Export
● Terminology
○ D2L ePortfolio
○ Presentations

21. video

22. Responses

23. Responses - Pilot
Pilot
5-6 instructors
~200 students
Different starting points
Examining issues formatively
Challenge of summative review
Support resources endorsed

24. 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-learningdevelopment/eportfolio/eportfolio-and-reflection-workshops

25. Responses - Reference Resources
Resources
●
●
●
●
●
USP site
LT site
D2L FAQ
Guides and Brochures
Access points for
students?

26. 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

27. Responses - Draw on Expertise
● Colleagues
● Research
● Student Ambassadors

28. Responses - Disseminate
Why?
● visibility
● different audiences
● fresh eyes
● experience
● feedback and
discussion

29. So why do we think ePortfolio
matters?

30. 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)

31. video

32. Two questions
What one thing do you think we should be most
focused on now?

33. Two questions
What one thing from this session can you take
back to your context?

34. Concluding thoughts

35. Learning opportunities
● Spotting and
acknowledging
mistakes
● Assumptions

36. The biggest critical success factor?
● Widespread support
and enthusiasm
● A dedicated voice
● A dedicated
explorer

37. 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

38. Contact
● R John Robertson
robertrj@uwosh.edu
@kavubob
Or
● University Studies Program
usp@uwosh.edu