Here's Why.

I remember walking into my very first teaching interview with a big three-ring binder/portfolio. It was filled with information about myself, my teaching philosophy, and all the experience I had acquired over the years. I remember thinking that I did not have enough material to showcase who I was and what I stood for. I remember thinking to myself, there has to be an easier way to showcase all of my knowledge that various people can access at any time. I have now learned that there is. An ePortfolio has been the answer to my question!

So why use an ePortfolio? I recently learned through my Digital Learning and Leading (DLL) course through Lamar University the importance of building and maintaining an ePortfolio. I love how Dr. Harapnuik defined it. He said that an ePortfolio is "A learner's digital evidence of various meaningful connections" (2015). I have learned that an ePortfolio allows you to showcase all of your learning, knowledge, experiences that you have acquired over the years through a platform that you can decide how to use and set up. I have learned that reflection is one of the most excellent tools we can use as educators to help show professional growth. Reflecting allows you to look back on past experiences and think critically about what you learned from them. Incorporating blogging through ePortfolios will allow you to look back and see how far you have come from your educational and/or personal journey over the years. Creating an ePortfolio also allows you to enhance an active and more profound learning experience where you can choose to participate in various authentic learning activities.

After recently starting my ePortfolio, I have already learned so many new things, and using the COVA approach has allowed me to experience my learning in a new and authentic way. I can't wait to experiment more with the various aspects of my ePortfolio in the future.

References

Why Use an ePortfolio. (2015, September 29). Retrieved June 10, 2020, from It's About Learning website: https://harapnuik.org/?page_id=6063