My ePortfolio experience

      Creating my ePortfolioit has been a fascinating experience. I committed to using it throughout this ADL (Applied Digital Learning) program and after graduation.

     When I registered for this master's program, I aimed to learn how to implement technology in the classroom. I have seen that students enjoy to spent time on digital devices. Reading the COVA ebook and the articles on the links that Dr. Harapnuik posted, helped me understand that the focus of the ADL program is more than just technology and that it follows COVA Principles (choice, ownership, and voice through authentic learning opportunities). 

     In the class Applying Education Technology: ePortfolios, I needed to create a digital portfolio; my first understanding was to develop a website to compile my work for different classes during the master's program. At this point, my perspective of the ePortfolios was only as a showcase or product. With the guidance and the examples of other ePortfolios that  Dr. Harapnuik provided, the exchange of thoughts with my collaborative team, the readings I did, and my reflections, finally, I could see the real purpose of ePortfolios and how COVA principles applied to them. In other words, I could identify the invisible learning during the process.

     My ePortfolio has been an authentic growth opportunity that helped me to take ownership of my learning journey. From the beginning, I was responsible for researching and exploring different platforms to develop my website. I have been allowed to choose the one that is convenient for me. It was a tough decision. Dr. Harapnuik recommended WordPress, and I usually follow the expert's advice, but I watched the tutorials and found that this platform was time-consuming. As a starter, I decided to use Wix because of its simplicity.

     I had a choice in organizing, presenting, and selecting my learning evidences. With every step of the design and posting of my learning experiences, I made my ePortfolio my personal and unique space. It has kept me engaged by planning, researching, reflecting, writing, editing, deleting, sharing, and writing again to improve. 

     By sharing my thoughts, I experienced the third component of COVA principles, voice. Writing the reflections every week allowed me to make meaningful connections to what I was learning. This process is getting better, but it still needs improvement. It was challenging at the beginning of this course; just writing a few lines used to take me a while. I also gained the self-confidence to share my ideas with my colleagues by receiving and giving feedback. An authentic engagement and shift in my mindset make me catch my assignments as a way to go deeper in my learning and not because I have to do them for a grade.

    Because of the numerous benefits of digital portfolios, My Innovation Plan is a proposal to implement them with my students. I understand their great value as a learning tool, and I want to give them the fantastic experience I am going through. 

     It's been only a few weeks, but the Contributions to my learning and community have been significant. I can see my growth in different areas; looking back to track my progress is another benefit of ePortfolios. Creating my ePortfolio it's been a nice ride, but it does not stop here. It just started.   

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      My reflections during this course 

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