Why should I use an e-Portfolio?

How will this help you grow as a professional?

As I am completing my courses in the ADL program, I’ve been doing research on the job market for educational technology coordinator, digital learning technology specialist, or instructional technology coordinator. I always look at the requirements for the job and what it entails for applying. As I look for the requirements on what the employer wants, a lot of these jobs want a link to a website created by the applicant for the employer to view their current or past work. 

After I complete the program, I realize I can change my e-Portfolio as my learning theory evolves, career, and education evolves. I’ve thought about pursuing a doctoral program, but I’m not quite sure…yet. If I do pursue a doctoral program it will be interesting to see how my research has evolved, and where I stand on certain aspects of my learning and growth mindset. I know that sometimes we change our direction of research and it’s completely okay to do so. 

How does this help others in your field or career?

The e-portfolio showcases our work we have done in the ADL program. Our e-Portfolio prepares future ADL students to view our work as examples. I know I’ve used the exemplars provided to us and it has helped me tremendously as a visual learner. I also believe the e-portfolio shows employers who we are as an individual and allows them to get to know us better. Sometimes it is hard for the employer to get to know the applicant just from their application. The e-Portfolio serves as an “About Me” for the employers to view the work the applicant has completed in the ADL program.

Technology has come a long way, and the e-Portfolio shows that to our audience. Visitors will read my perspective on technology through my blogs, my innovation plan and the literature that supports the research. I envision my e-Portfolio sparking a conversation with a potential employer, but I also know that this will help me in the long run. Currently, I am looking for a new job, so yes, I want to leave the classroom. That said, I’ve seen job applications where they want to view an e-Portfolio of our work. I feel almost prepared for this big step because I have my website; however, it is not up to full speed yet. I will get there soon, but it will take a while. 

How can this ePortfolio benefit you in the future?

If I’m thinking far ahead, and I’m thinking within the next couple of months, I believe my e-portfolio will serve as a guide to my employer on what I am working on in the ADL program and the skills I possess. The e-portfolio is designed to show off the work the person is working on or towards. I see some big benefits for myself as I am working towards my goal of a career within educational technology. Great academic discussions can come from the e-Portfolio—such as when you are interviewing and the employer has questions about your e-Portfolio and the research. 

I believe my e-Portfolio will also serve as a guide towards my innovation plan and the plans for the innovation plan. The innovation plan focuses on utilizing e-Portfolios in the Reading/Language Arts classroom. A big issue in digital learning is implementing the technology. However, technology isn’t embraced by a few teachers, which is a barrier in the education field. I have noticed negative reactions from some colleagues surrounding the emergence of technology in the classroom. In my innovation plan, I researched teacher attitudes and beliefs. One researcher did notice how much of an impact a teacher’s ability to utilize technology as part of instruction (Kelly, 2015).

I do hope my e-Portfolio helps others who begin the program, because I was one who was lost when I first began, to be honest. Since I’m in my second semester, I now fully understand the importance of the e-portfolio and enjoy immersing myself in the creation of my website. 

References

Kelly, D. P. (2015). Overcoming barriers to classroom technology integration. Educational Technology, 55(2), 40–43. http://www.jstor.org/stable/44430356