Comments on: Simulating the “Real World” http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/ teaching technology abroad Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:55:59 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: always learning » The Fear Factor http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/#comment-790 always learning » The Fear Factor Thu, 31 May 2007 05:55:13 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/#comment-790 [...] For example, I was recently in a portfolio “de-briefing” session with a few middle school faculty members. We were discussing the effectiveness and success of our portfolio process. When the time came to share ideas for improvement, I was not alone in the desire to incorporate more relevant and authentic methods of presentation for our portfolios. However, we were definitely the minority. Even though we’ve all just been through extensive IT integration training, several members of the faculty were adamant that the only way to do portfolios is to put paper in a binder - how else will we include all our tests? [...] [...] For example, I was recently in a portfolio “de-briefing” session with a few middle school faculty members. We were discussing the effectiveness and success of our portfolio process. When the time came to share ideas for improvement, I was not alone in the desire to incorporate more relevant and authentic methods of presentation for our portfolios. However, we were definitely the minority. Even though we’ve all just been through extensive IT integration training, several members of the faculty were adamant that the only way to do portfolios is to put paper in a binder - how else will we include all our tests? [...]

]]> By: mscofino http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/#comment-761 mscofino Wed, 16 May 2007 10:18:21 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/#comment-761 Kristian, I'd love to hear what you end up changing about your portfolio process. Keep me posted :) Dennis, That title is about me always learning - I'm so flattered that you are learning too! I bet our process is modeled after yours considering quite a few of our staff used to work at ISKL.... The faculty were very receptive and excited about the concept when I brought it up. They can clearly see the need for a more authentic process. Unfortunately, it didn't go much farther than those "yeah, we need that" kind of comments. However, I do think we can convince admin and other teachers that technology-based tools are an excellent vehicle for presenting portfolios, but I think it takes a very open-minded, tech-aware, forward-thinking staff and some discussion of what is possible. I think sharing real world experiences would be a good place to start. Maybe a comparison of a "typical" portfolio and a modernized portfolio could kick start a discussion? Kristian,

I’d love to hear what you end up changing about your portfolio process. Keep me posted :)

Dennis,

That title is about me always learning - I’m so flattered that you are learning too!

I bet our process is modeled after yours considering quite a few of our staff used to work at ISKL….

The faculty were very receptive and excited about the concept when I brought it up. They can clearly see the need for a more authentic process. Unfortunately, it didn’t go much farther than those “yeah, we need that” kind of comments. However, I do think we can convince admin and other teachers that technology-based tools are an excellent vehicle for presenting portfolios, but I think it takes a very open-minded, tech-aware, forward-thinking staff and some discussion of what is possible. I think sharing real world experiences would be a good place to start. Maybe a comparison of a “typical” portfolio and a modernized portfolio could kick start a discussion?

]]> By: dharter http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/#comment-760 dharter Wed, 16 May 2007 00:21:35 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/#comment-760 As your title suggests, I'm always learning when I come here. My last school had the EXACT model you are talking about. (Maybe it's a KL thing!) What was the reaction at your faculty meeting when you brought it up? Do administrators/teachers see places like mySpace as online portfolios of interests that kids are making? Can something like that (dynamic, engaging, authentic to their lives) be applied to showcase student work and growth? Can we convince them of this? As your title suggests, I’m always learning when I come here.

My last school had the EXACT model you are talking about. (Maybe it’s a KL thing!) What was the reaction at your faculty meeting when you brought it up?

Do administrators/teachers see places like mySpace as online portfolios of interests that kids are making? Can something like that (dynamic, engaging, authentic to their lives) be applied to showcase student work and growth? Can we convince them of this?

]]> By: kristian still http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/#comment-759 kristian still Tue, 15 May 2007 18:11:18 +0000 http://mscofino.edublogs.org/2007/05/15/simulating-the-real-world/#comment-759 Like you, we have to present 2 years worth of work, more for the external verifier (EV) than anyone else. These monster portfolios then sit stored in a dimly lit rooms only to be retreieved by the most efficient of students heading off to higher education. If the work was presented in another format, how would all the staff mark the work and what would the EV think? Well, I might just find out this year! Like you, we have to present 2 years worth of work, more for the external verifier (EV) than anyone else. These monster portfolios then sit stored in a dimly lit rooms only to be retreieved by the most efficient of students heading off to higher education. If the work was presented in another format, how would all the staff mark the work and what would the EV think? Well, I might just find out this year!

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