AN INNOVATIVE USE OF THE E-

PORTFOLIO

Induction – OMG! D Y Thnk we hv 2 std up + say sumting???

Ice Breakers

Ice Breakers I Have Known Introduce yourself to the person next to you

then introduce them to the rest of the group. Write words or feelings that describe how you

are feeling about today on the board. Make stickers with some of your major

characteristics on and find people who are the same / different to you.

Pin the name of a famous person to someone else’s back – everyone must then find out who they are by asking each other questions

How do you feel about standing up and introducing yourself?

“Definitely no thanks I would end up crying of embarrassment or something along those lines LOL”.

“Not very keen, would have done it if I'd had too but the first few weeks of Uni are fairly nerve wrecking anyway it would have been difficult to do”.

What’s The Point?

Ice Breaker Issues

On the spot ‘reactions’.Disadvantage to disabled students and

overseas students? Favour the ‘bold’. Do they really allow students to get to

know other students and staff? As class sizes increase time spent per

person decreases. Loathed and knowingly avoided by many.

A possible solution?E-Portfolios

Customisable Web Space.

Shared to individual

Shared to Course.

• Informal Peer Mentoring.

• Socialising.

Shared to Module.

• Hopes / Fears.• Hobbies.• Multimedia

Content.

Private.• Real Hopes

and Fears?

My Own Portfolio

What do students include?

Family Information

PhotographsInformation

about School Friends

Links to Social

Networking Sites

Hobbies PetsReasons for

Choosing Course

Personal Achievements

Multimedia Content

Links to websites

Likes / Dislikes

Jokes Facts etc.

How is it used?

Module

Course Course

Comments.

Links to Social Network Sites.

Is the e-Portfolio any better?

Percentage Participation.

N= 99, 102, 105 respectively

Comparison of Preference.

Student reflections “It allowed everyone to introduce themselves without

being completely nervous which would have happened if we had to stand up in front of everyone. Standing up would have meant people would be out of character and would say as little as possible about themselves. Whereas the e-portfolio allowed everyone to say loads about themselves therefore giving a bigger and better image of people on the course. It also allowed you to re-visit the portfolios to get up-to-date info about people later on in the course, refreshing your memory about those people who you know least. I think its definitely worth doing during the introduction weeks of a new course at university!!!”

Issues. “Although not nerve wrecking, I felt it was

slightly pointless as not everybody seemed interested in other individuals portfolios.”

“Having to read everyone's in the class. Took quite a long time.”

“Trying to think of what to write that wouldn’t be embarrassing or incriminating, LOL.”

“A lot of people did not ever go back onto the e-portfolio and did not alter their original one, therefore for some people its not worth doing.”

On seeing Lecturer’s portfolios

“If you feel confident that they are approachable from an early stage it helps the settling in process.”

“As this individual is central to your learning for that particular module. Therefore if the student lecturer bond is stronger as a student I would feel more comfortable going to them for help.”

Insight.

The ability to say things that otherwise would make

someone feel embarrassed (like geeky interests) when

first talking to someone

Unexpected Use…

Impromptu blogging. Publishing of lecture notes.

Would you use the e-Portfolio again in a different setting?

“Yes - I think its a good idea for education and businesses to have them, would be nice if you could do a bit of research about the people you will be working/learning with, not just the institution itself”

“It's a fun icebreaker and a way of talking to people and making new friends”

Final Student Reflection…