Coordinator of International Education
Professor of Humanities and Foreign Languages
Santa Fe College, Gainesville FL
Why ePortfolios
How does the use of ePortfolios align itself with the values and mission statement of our institution?
By their very nature ePortfolios meet the mission and values of our school in a broader sense:
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They constitute a learner-center pedagogy that supports student engagement in and outside the classroom
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They demand the utilization of technology
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They promote lifelong learning (or deep learning through reflection)
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They reinforce education learning outcomes such as critical thinking, communication, and global-socio-cultural responsibility
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They model and instill professionalism and link academics with professional development
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They model and instill intercultural proficiency
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They promote excellence and academic achievement by contributing to higher success and retention rates[1]
The very holistic and integrative nature of ePortfolios is becoming an engine for collaboration in our campus. In the process of supporting the development of these student projects, the Office of International Education is partnering with the Career Resource Center, Student Life, Academic Technologies, the Multicultural Student Center, and the Office of Diversity, in addition to academic departments.
We expected ePortfolios to become a powerful tool for the development of self-awareness and identity in our students. However, as we implement this project, we realize that they are also a conversation piece and a meeting point for the collaboration and the shared objectives of our institution as a whole.
[1] Eynon, B., L. M. Gambino, and J. Török. 2014 “What Difference Can ePortfolio Make? A Field Report from the Connect to Learning Project.” International Journal of ePortfolio 4 (1). http://www.theijep.com/pdf/IJEP127.pdf
Why do we use electronic portfolios?
ePortfolios are an integrative tool that allows us to capture and assess the learning that occurs in a variety of settings and across disciplines. In International Education at Santa Fe College we use ePortfolios to promote and assess global and intercultural knowledge.
