--- Forwarded Message from 15.5 --- From: Kelly Davidson <[log in to unmask]> Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:02:53 -0500 Subject: Re: #9556 Electronic portfolios To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum <[log in to unmask]> At Clemson we have developed a Languages ePortfolio that expands on the University requirements for a general education ePortfolio. This not only provides a more personalized portfolio-type assessment of a student's work over their college career, it also gives them the functional skills needed to develop a basic website that they can then build on in the future. Broad concepts are covered as well as more detailed considerations. For example, while students are encouraged to put together a summary of their course work and identify elements that are relevant to their future goals, they are also guided through the process of creating and editing a cover letter and resume/CV in English and the target language. With the combined guidance of advisors, the Language Lab, and the Career Center, students can identify important focus areas for these types of documents, including even a country specific component if they are so inclined. We also encourage them to include relevant samples of their work in different areas; this seems to work well as the Modern Languages Spanish major might have a different goal and different set of course work than the Language and International Trade Spanish major. In this way, we try to walk the fine line between providing a strong framework for the development of such a resource and also allowing students the academic and creative freedom to meet their personal goals. The course that we offer as guidance is a 2-credit, pass/fail course. It combines structured class time sessions with myself (as Languages ePortfolio Advisor and Language Lab Director), representatives from the University ePortfolio Center, the Career Center, and the IT Department, and other guest speakers that share personalized insights on technological, academic, and professional resources. Students are also required to meet individually with their advisors and me. We decided to structure the course this way (a combination of class meetings and individual meetings) to give students both a solid foundation and a personalized approach. At this point, while the Languages ePortfolio is required of almost all graduating seniors, it is not the official assessment of senior student work within our Department; we have been exploring the idea of how to make it a major part of their finishing work as seniors. We use Google Sites to develop the ePortfolios as that is the University directive, but students are encouraged to incorporate other resources if they would like to do so. Although many students are apprehensive when starting their work, as soon as they work with the site for a few hours they become much more comfortable and enthusiastic and recognize the value of the project. Kelly F. Davidson, Ph.D. Language Lab Director Lecturer in French Coordinator of First Year French Department of Languages ePortfolio Advisor Director, Clemson French Immersion: Belgium [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> 113 Daniel Hall Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634 Tel: (864) 656.3458 Fax: (864) 656.0258 "Saving one animal will not change the world, but for that one animal...her world will surely change." *********************************************** LLTI is a service of IALLT, the International Association for Language Learning Technology (http://iallt.org/), and The Consortium for Language Teaching and Learning (http://www.languageconsortium.org/). Join IALLT at http://iallt.org. Subscribe, unsubscribe, search the archives at http://listserv.dartmouth.edu/scripts/wa.exe?A0=LLTI Anthony Helm, LLTI-Editor ([log in to unmask]) ***********************************************