The South Harmon School District is implementing an e-portfolio program for middle and high school students, starting with a small group of teachers who will serve as mentors. This professional development workshop focuses on using Google Docs to create e-portfolios and enhance lesson plans, ultimately aiming to improve student learning and teacher effectiveness. The program will involve ongoing support and collaboration among teachers to integrate technology throughout the district.

1. South Harmon SD Technology WorkshopCreating E-Portfolios using Google Docs Steven PoastEDTECH 554

2. Professional Development Background South Harmon SD is in the beginning phases of implementing an E-Portfolio program for all middle and high school students. Through their research the administration has been advised to begin this process with a small group of teachers from each building. These teachers will serve as faculty mentors for all middle and high school teachers in later phases of the e-portfolio program. This group of teachers will learn the necessary methods, and technical skills needed to effectively develop electronic artifacts, digital images of work, and reflective writing of student learning, all vital for a successful e-portfolio.

3. Learner Background Technology use surveys were given to all South Harmon teachers during the spring of the previous school year. The teachers selected for this PD workshop have demonstrated Tier 1 and 2 levels of technology integration in their classrooms. These teachers have stated a familiarity with Microsoft Office applications PowerPoint, Word, and Excel in either personal or professional use. Each teacher has indicated an ability to use the internet along with a desire to learn how to implement technology into their classrooms in a manner that will enhance student learning. By participating in this workshop these teachers have also agreed to serve as mentor teachers in their respective schools. They will provide support to other teachers in their buildings who are not at Tier 1 or 2 technology levels.

4. Objectives In this workshop learners will:Use Google Docs to enhance lesson plansCreate their own professional E-Portfolio using Google DocsDevelop lessons to introduce and implement E-Portfolios into their classroomDevelop procedures and time-line for continued integration of E-Portfolios by all teachers in the South Harmon SD, which will be implemented into the District Improvement Plan.Plan school and district meetings to review workshop materials, provide peer-feedback, and brainstorm new ideas to enhance student learning through technology

5. Workshop InformationLocation - School District’s largest computer/media lab; alternative - set up meeting room location within a building and either bring computers in (laptops) or allow learners to go to classrooms to practice skillsDate/Time - 2 day workshop will take place just prior to the beginning of the school year. Arrangements will have been made in advance to those participating as well as those hosting the professional development.Artifacts - Learners will be expected to bring professional artifacts in digital form to use in creating their E-Portfolio and a selection of lesson plans (including plans for the upcoming year) for the technology enhancement activity

6. Agenda - Day 1Introduction - 30 minutesWhat are Web 2.0 tools? Google Docs?What are E-Portfolios?How can they enhance student learning?How does this apply to South Harmon’s Vision Statement?Review workshop agendaAM Session (3 hours) - Google Docs Presentation and exploration by learnersAccess Google DocsExplore Documents - Create document for classroom useExplore Presentations - Create a 3-4 slide presentation for classroom useExplore Spreadsheets - Create a spreadsheet for classroom use

7. Agenda - Day 1PM Session (3 hours) - Enhance Lessons with Google DocsReview morning presentationQuestion: What ways can Google Docs be used to enhance student learning?Provide samples of: Enhanced lessons, Enhancement Checklist, and RubricLearners will work with partners (by grade and/or subject) to develop two enhanced lessons (1 previous lesson and 1 future lesson)Reminder of homework for Learners (communicated prior to workshop)Bring in samples of professional work to put into your E-PortfolioPictures, Lesson plans, articles published, etc.

8. Agenda - Day 2AM Session (3 hours) - Creating E-PortfoliosReview of Day 1Question: How can E-Portfolios help you become a better teacher?Provide samples of E-Portfolios for learners to model- Learners create E-PortfoliosUsing artifacts saved either to school server or on flash driveAccess Google Docs, utilizing the Documentation, Presentation, and Spreadsheet applicationsLearners should include 4-5 artifacts in their E-PortfolioLearners will write an initial reflection piece for 1-2 artifacts in their portfolioThis will serve as a starting point for their professional E-PortfolioNew artifacts will be added throughout the year and an updated version will be presented at mid-year and end-of-year meetings.

9. Agenda - Day 2PM Session (3 hours) - Developing E-Portfolio lesson plans for studentsSelected learners (instructor’s discretion) will present their E-PortfoliosSharing of ideas to improve and enhance professional E-PortfoliosLearners will work with partners (by grade and/or subject) to develop an E-Portfolio unit for their studentsFuture Planning and ConclusionEstablish contact persons for each schoolDevelop procedures and time-line for continued integration of E-Portfolios by all teachers in the South Harmon SD, which will be implemented into the District Improvement Plan.Set meeting times (school and district) to share progress, evaluate lessons, and brainstorm ideas throughout the yearComplete E-Portfolio learner survey

10. Impact on Student Learning Students will be able to engage in content by creating artifacts for their E-PortfolioStudents will learn to develop critical thinking skills through reflective writing about their artifacts and how they have grown in their learning.

11. Improve Teacher EffectivenessGoogle Docs provides a means to present information for students to view both in and out of the classroom. Therefore extending time for learning.Increase ability to gain student attention and engagement through technology enhanced projectsProvides teachers opportunity to reflect on their own work as well as student progress

12. Taking skills to the classroomOne future lesson enhancing technology will be developed during the workshopTeachers will be meeting periodically to discuss how skills are being used and brainstorm new ideas to better utilize these skillsTeachers will serve as mentors for other teachers in their respective buildings, helping them to utilize Google Docs to enhance lessons

13. Differentiating LearningGoogle Docs provides different platforms for presentationTeachers can use Google Docs to help adjust how content is taught and how content is processed and presented by the students

14. Measuring Teacher LearningProgress of professional E-PortfoliosEvidence of new applications within the classroomStudent use of Google Docs and E-Portfolios

15. Measuring Student LearningProgress in number of students using Google Docs in class workEvaluation of student E-Portfolios from beginning of school year to end of school yearStudent E-Portfolio satisfaction survey

16. Resources for Google Docs and E-PortfoliosGoogle.comGoogle Docs and Differentiated InstructionE-Portfolio Lesson PlanPD Guide for implementing E-PortfoliosE-Portfolio Rubric ideasTeacher Technology Survey