1. RafaeleFierro
Laura Gambino
George Sebastian-Coleman
Tunxis Community College
Culture Shock to Culture Shift:Implementing an ePortfolio Culture

2. Background
2004 Tunxis received a Title III grant
Five-year grant
Focus on Outcomes Assessment
Two main initiatives
ePortfolio
Ability-Based Education
3. Ability-Based Education
Ten General Education Abilities and Rubrics
Communication, Critical Thinking, Technology Literacy, etc
Every course has at least one General Education Ability embedded in it
Instructor is responsible for assessing that ability
Goal: When students graduate from Tunxis, they will have demonstrated achievement of the 10 General Education Abilities
4. Ability-Based Education
Degree Programs
Program Abilities and rubrics
Embedded in course syllabi
Assessed in courses
Benefit to students
Make connections between Gen Ed courses and program courses
Make connections between/among courses in the program
Focus on students and their learning
5. ePortfolio and Career Programs
Currently used in Computer Information Systems, Dental Hygiene, Business Office Technology, Early Childhood
Goals
Increase student success
Connection and reflection
Increased retention
Showcase ePortfolio
To create a comprehensive assessment system for programs
General Education Abilities
Program Outcomes
6. Liberal Arts and Sciences
The vision:
The transcript is the schools declaration that the student has completed degree requirements.
The portfolio is the students proof that they have done so.
Student will create the portfolio in developmental, FYE, or Composition courses
First-year writing section will exemplify the extension of course-to-course use of abilities
Capstone course will be used to develop a graduation portfolio
7. General Studies
Program outcomes are the General Education Abilities-ePortfolio can show assessment
Interdisciplinary approach
Advisors and students together create a plan of study

Brings the transcript/MAT Guide to life

Visible place for students to show their learning
Students can better prepare themselves for a job or transfer
8. Culture Shock
Tunxis Goal:
Students graduating will demonstrate General Education and Program Abilities
The issue:
Convincing faculty that ePortfolio is the best way to achieve this goal
9. Culture Shock Quotes
I teach in a content-heavy discipline..I dont have time to fit this in my course
I dont see how this is going to benefit my students in my course
This is way too much extra work
Lauras making everyone do this
10. Culture Shock Issues
Individual Course/Faculty level
Two types of resistance
Faculty who follow the traditional teaching model
Faculty who are opposed to change
Faculty feel vulnerable
Program Level
Additional burden of Program Outcomes
Coordination/education of all faculty
Adjunct faculty issue
11. Culture Shock Issues
Institution level
Confusion between ABE and ePortfolio
Assessment and ePortfolio
Trying to do too much at once
Faculty-driven project
Time/effort to lead and support the project
Rumor mill/hallway conversations
ePortfolio is mandated
12. Culture ShiftThings to Remember
Timeline is key
Move the project along at a reasonable pace
Everyone adapts to change at a different pace
Need various types of support/buy in
Administration
Early adopters
Tech support
Students
Fall 2009 Survey Results:
82% of students surveyed will maintain their ePortfolio in the upcoming semesters
13. Culture ShiftIdeas
Seminar series
Focus on ePortfolio pedagogy and reflection/hands-on training
Small group workshops
Shared workspace learning community
On-going conversations
Large group
Small group
Listening/acknowledging concerns
14. Culture ShiftIdeas
On-going support and training
ePortfolio Project ePortfolio
FAQ, Handouts, Videos
Dedicated ePortfolio Lab
Faculty Mentor Program
Have a well-defined entry-point or points
Faculty-driven effort
15. Culture ShiftIdeas
Keep the focus on students and learning
Mohamed
Izzy
Steven
Chasity