Tag Archives: benefit of eportfolio

Performance Funding Making Its Way into Higher Education

Very interesting and compelling research and presentation by AACU (American Association of Colleges and Universities), Loyola, and Taskstream looking at what employers and legislators (funding) are demanding from Higher Education in preparing students to become innovative, productive, contributing members of society.  Legislators are sending the funding message to Higher Education, “If you want more money, prove you deserve it.”  They’re frustrated about completions, transfers, and students taking over six years to graduate.

Employers expect students to

  • complete a significant project before graduation that demonstrates their depth of knowledge in their major AND their acquisition of analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
  • complete an internship or community-based field project to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences
  • work through ethical issues and debates to form their own judgments about the issues at stake.

They want to be assured that students develop the skills to research questions in their field and develop evidence-based analyses.  They want proof.

The Loyola ePortfolio Continuum (developmental, scaffolded, and progressive build) is presented with the AACU’s LEAP Program’s High Impact Practices and the Value rubrics.  The Loyola model begins with eportfolios started in the University 101 gateway courses and continues with Service Learning and Internships to the capstone Career ePortfolio.  Please review.  I was impressed right from the start with Loyola’s Motto –  Preparing people to lead extraordinary lives.

This is a compelling study and presentation that all educators (faculty, staff, and administration) need to consider and ask the question, “Are we preparing our students to lead extraordinary lives?”

STIMULATING INNOVATION WITH E-PORTFOLIOS
http://www.umkc.edu/provost/facet/Eportfolios01-31-13.pdf

  • Dr. Terrel Rhodes, Vice President, Office of Quality, Curriculum, and Assessment
    Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) rhodes@aacu.org
  • Dr. Patrick Green, Director, Center for Experiential Learning
    Loyola University Chicago pgreen@luc.edu
  • Ashley Kehoe, E-Portfolio Program Manager Loyola University Chicago akehoe@luc.edu
  • Taskstream, events@taskstream.

Find more information on the AACU study and ensuring employer involvement program at  https://you.stonybrook.edu/eportfolioconsultants/2014/01/17/do-employers-value-eportfolios  

IT TAKES MORE THAN A MAJOREmployer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success
An Online Survey Among Employers Conducted On Behalf Of:
The Association Of American Colleges And Universities
By Hart Research Associates
April 10, 2013

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What students are saying about ePortfolio

“As I have grown as a person, my ePortfolio has grown in the same manner.” – Aman Mundra. This is one of the many things students are saying about eportfolios. Follow the link to the video to learn more:

For students who have ePortfolios, it’s heartwarming to learn that employers are actually looking at ePortfolios in the hiring process. President of Wabash Valley College, Matt Fowler stated “An employer with 6000 employees said eportfolios are ‘the difference between having a first and second interview. It’s like being on the second interview’. 

Put yourself in the shoes of an employer. What general skills are you looking for in a candidate, and would you consider searching an applicant on Google? Would finding an applicant with an ePortfolio put him at an advantage to someone who just posts on social networks?

What are your thoughts?

Michael