Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Reconciling Efolio Issues

Eportfolios can be a truly useful tool for the classroom and for life. Being able to showcase evidence of learning that is lifelong has the potential to benefit anyone who is willing to put himself on display for all the world to see. However, that very same display of a life's work also carries with it the potential for damaging, negative, and even vindictive opinions when "evaluated" by those who do not understand the purpose of a portfolio--growth in an individual over time.
Another issue that I cannot get past at this point are the privacy and ownership issues that have been raised by the nature of technology. When discussing undergraduate portfolios completed at a university, who owns what and for how long? Who is allowed access and will the platform be accessible once the student graduates? Who pays for it?
As a teacher I must consider the regulations associated with digitizing student work and all the necessary permissions that must be granted. What about liability concerns for minors? These are some thorny questions that I am wrestling with before I can wholeheartedly embrace eportfolios for my students.  Have you reconciled these considerations? Are the potential risks offset by the potential benefits?

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