The document discusses using ePortfolios with 5th grade students to demonstrate mastery of technology skills. It describes a pilot program using the ePortfolio platform Mahara across 5 schools and 300 students over 5 years. The program aimed to provide an authentic way to assess student work and address digital citizenship through reflective writing. Several ePortfolio tools were considered, including Mahara, Google Sites, and Kidblog, with Mahara chosen for its customization, exportability, and social networking features. The program focused on developing digital citizenship, creating artifacts, and providing opportunities for writing through the ePortfolio.

1. Social Learning with ePortfolios: Engaging
Students Using Mahara

2. our panel
Classroom Teacher,
Clemens Crossing ES
Facilitator, Instructional Facilitator, eLearning
Technology
Resource Teacher,
Instructional Technology

3. 40 elementary schools
59 technology teachers
5 pilot schools / teachers
300 students
5 years in technology

4. Guiding Question:
How could 5th grade
students demonstrate
mastery of technology skills
in authentic ways?

5. Alternate way to
assess student work
in the assessment of
learning
Authentic way to
address digital
citizenship
Provide opportunities
for reflective work

6. tools considered

7. Plus Minus
Open source adaptable;
Less intuitive than other
Customization; Exportability;
Mahara tools; Customization
Server space; Walled garden;
required
Social Networking component
Requires set-up for
Google Wide adoption; Integration
dedicated domain and
Sites with other Google Apps
authentication; Exportability
Open to the public; Smaller Space restrictions;
Kidblog learning curve; Heavy teacher Account creation/Individual
monitoring available user implementation

8. digital
citizenship
artifact
creation
writing

10. digital citizenship

11. artifact creation

12. opportunities for writing

14. Dr. Helen Barrett
http://electronicportfolios.com/categories.html