Welcome Teachers!

We are beyond excited to kick off the summer Teacher Coding Academies!!

As mentioned at the one day kick-off events in April and to best prepare you for your learning experience this summer and the following year, we are asking that you get a head start by:

setting up the link to your ePortfolio (eP) – should take 10-15 minutes to set up after you choose a platform (see below)
creating your Learning Manifesto (LM) – 2-3 hours to write/script which you will use later to develop into a video

Everything you need to know about setting up your link, developing a learning manifesto, etc. can be found below on my website.

eP Assistance
I will be online and available to help you and answer any questions you have if you would like to reach out to me via email to set up a time.
My email: tilisa.thibodeaux@lamar.edu

****Once you are finished with the LM and have a working link, please submit your working eP link to the following site (you only need to submit ONE time): https://lamaruniversity.formstack.com/forms/eportfolio_links

Blackboard Open Education Log In
https://openeducation.blackboard.com/site/home?tab_tab_group_id=_12_1

Setting up your ePortfolio

Introduction – Start Here
EPortfolios can and should be simple to understand and, more importantly, simple to create and maintain. Especially if we keep the academic and scholarly jargon down to a minimum and focus on what we need to know to effectively use ePortfolios to enhance learning. Yes, an eportfolio is a website, blog or other named digital resources or location where you can show others what you have learned, are currently learning, and hope to learn. The ePortfolio is completely YOURS and how you organize, structure, and present your learning will be dictated by YOU. This is a completely free service to you from the many website platforms you can choose from. Examples of platforms are: WordPress (most popular), Weebly, Wix, and Squarespace. These platforms walk you straight through setting up your domain name and selection of a template. From there, if you adopt an inquisitive mindset in which you start pushing buttons and building pages and writing blog posts, you are already on your way. For starters, you might want to build a static, top-level page for Coding, one for Projects, one for Learning, and one for Reflection, etc. You can build these pages out as you go documenting your learning along the way, but be sure to think of your audience as you are building out your site.

If you need a refresh, posted below is an 8 minute video presentation recap of our one day kick off event.
Teacher Academy Recap Video

Overview – Simple Directions

First, select a platform below (or find your own) to see which one best appeals to you. Consider storage space, size limitations, video/audio capacity, personalization, etc.
***If you have a website already set up with your district, you should create a new one that is for YOU. District website tend to be limited and blocked by firewalls, etc.Second, once you select a platform, click the ‘Getting Started’ button on the website and the eP platform will walk you through how to set up the link.

Third, when choosing a domain name, type your first name, middle initial, last name or just first and last name. Maybe you have a unique domain name you wish to use. Also, note that when choosing your domain name, you may have to try several options before you can select a free domain name that is available. Personalize this so you do not have a string of numbers behind your website address. www.classylearn.com is just one example of a personalized creative name. Be sure to choose the FREE for life $0 version. If you do not, you will be need to find the link that takes you to the FREE version (In word press, it is just above the paid for options.)

Then, choose a template or theme (same thing). For WordPress, you’ll have to navigate to the word Theme and choose a FREE theme. The other platforms will help you pick out a theme based on what you select as you are signing up. Remember that your eP will grow, just a skeletal shell is all we need at this time.

IMPORTANT: Finally, check your email and confirm that you have opened your website account (if required to), then be sure to publish your website to make it live and accessible. Test out the link on a different device to make sure you share the publicly accessible link and not the admin/edit link. Once you have confirmed this, please submit to the formstack the working link: https://lamaruniversity.formstack.com/forms/eportfolio_links

Have fun and start Building!
Note:
**Almost everything on the eP is customizable including templates, designs, pages, etc. Do not feel as though you are “locked in” once you have created your eP.

ePortfolio Link Examples:
http://www.technicallyalli.com/
https://sites.google.com/view/teachingblueprint/home?authuser=0
http://www.professorhung.com/
https://nancywtech.com/
http://jasonmkern.com/
Additional Examples: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=513

Digging Deeper

If you wish to dig down deeper into ePortfolios, you can follow the many links embedded within the following resources pages to get a more detailed understanding:

The Minimalist Fundamentals of ePortfolios
What is an ePortfolio?
Who Owns the ePortfolio?
Why Use an ePortfolio?
Example of ePortfolios
How to Create an ePortfolio

What do I put on my ePortfolio?
Choice, ownership and voice play a very significant role in the ePortfolio process. The COVA approach has four interrelated components:

The freedom to choose (C) how they wish to organize, structure and present their experiences and evidences of learning.
Ownership (O) over the entire ePortfolio process – including selection of projects and their portfolio tools.
The opportunity to use their own voice (V) to revise and restructure their work and ideas.
Authentic (A) learning opportunities that enable students to make a difference in their own learning environments.
Static (Stationary) Page Ideas, sub-pages are up to you
Coding (lessons, activities, camp)
Projects (challenge-based projects, apps, prototyping)
Learning (concepts of ed tech, creating significant learning environments, innovation plans)
Reflections (posts about your experience, ideas, etc.)
Blog (weekly posts about topics of interest)
Resources (learning networks, links for you and kids)

Examples of ePortfolios: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=513

COVA Resources

Link to COVA ebook: http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=7291
Link to COVA Framework: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=538

ePortfolio Common Questions (I will continually update this list as questions come in.)

1. Do I need to re-submit my link every time I add to my eP?
No, your link will automatically renew content as you publish/save your pages. If you do change eP platforms (example – Wix to Weebly), you will need to resubmit the link to the form above.

2. How should I set up my top level pages?
As always, it is YOUR choice. We want this to be authentic to you and your learning experience; therefore, how your navigational structure is constructed is up to you.
You will want to keep in mind that this should be easily navigable for you and your audience. As you continue to build many pages and projects, you’ll want to organize your eP in such a way that makes things very easy to find.

Static Page Ideas, sub-pages are up to you
Coding (lessons, activities, camp)
Projects (challenge-based projects, apps, prototyping)
Learning (concepts of ed tech, creating significant learning environments, innovation plans)
Reflections (posts about your experience, ideas, etc.)
Blog (weekly posts about topics of interest)
Resources (learning networks, links for you and kids)

3. Where can I find royalty free images to use on my website?
Visit Getty Images or Pexels.com, sign up for an account and search for royalty free images. There are collections of thousands of images taken by budding photographers. CITE any images that you borrow. You can create your own charts, tables, infographics, etc. in Canva if you wish.

4. What ePortfolio platform would you recommend?
The choice is yours. You can use WordPress, Weebly, Google sites, Wix, Squarespace, etc.
Briefly research the functionality vs. the limitations of these platforms.
For example, WordPress gives you control over your site and menu options. Other sites offer drag and drop features, like Weebly and Wix, if you want to grow your technology skills.
For now, be sure to select the FREE version; you should not incur any cost. Doing this will enable you to switch platforms should you so choose.

5. What types of things can we put on our ePortfolio?
This is yours; you can add anything you want! You get to design and organize how you wish to set up your website.

6. How do I pick a free domain name?
Many people choose their first and last name and sometimes with a middle initial so their website is easy to remember and find. If your name is common, you might insert a middle initial or string of numbers behind the name. If you choose to purchase your domain and serve space at some point, you will have much more control over both spaces.

——————

Creating your Learning Manifesto

Create a learning manifesto that articulates your belief systems and set of guiding principles as it relates to digital learning and leading in your field.

Instructions (Post the link to your Learning Manifesto (if you choose to do a video) or copy/paste your LM directly onto your site.)
1. Create a reflection (connection) that addresses your learning manifesto. Ask yourself what you are truly passionate about.
2. Identify what you think are emerging issues related to digital learning and leading at the state, regional, national, and/or global contexts.
3. What is right/wrong with education and what should the world do to enhance/fix it?
4. What are your core belief systems about digital learning and the impact you hope to make in your organization?

Your Learning Manifesto should connect to prior accomplishments or innovative practice in your area of expertise or classroom. For inspiration review Seth Godin’s Stop Stealing Dreams or watch a presentation by Sir Ken Robinson. Consider a Keynote (or other presentation tools) with voiceover, iMovie, Windows Movie Maker, a video diary entry, or an annotated blog page with links or embed materials from your previous or current work. The reflection should be a 1,000 word reflection or 5 minute audio/video combined.

Link to my Beliefs of Digital Learning: http://tilisathibodeaux.com/wordpress/?page_id=1539
Link to my colleague, Dr. Harapnuik’s beliefs, on Learning: http://www.harapnuik.org/?page_id=95

Stop Stealing Dreams – Seth Godin @ TEDx Youth at BFS (16:57)
Published by: TEDx Youth Date: 10.16.2012
YouTube URL: https://youtu.be/sXpbONjV1Jc