Dear Principal and teachers,

 

When COVID-19 forced us to go online, students faced two big problems: losing motivation and self-discipline. They need positive feelings about learning experiences and accomplishments to remain engaged. We must create a student-centered learning environment that provides better opportunities for them. In the last five years, ePortfolios have gained popularity among students because they were able to combine technology and reflective learning. The research claims that with the proper implementation of digital portfolios, students can benefit from skills like ownership, reflection, and collaboration to make meaningful connections. Another gain is that students can track their reading and writing skills, which could benefit parents and teachers. I propose a six-month pilot for the second semester of the 2023-2024 school year with my fifth-grade students to create ePortfolios. 

 

Each portfolio will be owned by the student, giving them a sense of ownership. They can organize their learning pieces of evidence in a way that makes sense. They can choose what learning material they wish to include,  usually, but not limited to, projects, book reports, summaries, or a reflection. Students will critique and evaluate their work and academic progress.

 

Through reflection, students can discover who they are and what they want to become. They will reflect on what they learned, what they need to know, and what they are experiencing to make meaningful connections. Students will create a culture of collaboration by sharing their ideas and knowledge with their peers. They will also gain technical experience, preparing them for our digital world.

 

I will guide students in learning by giving positive reinforcement and helping them adopt a growth mindset. The evaluation will be with a formative assessment, encouraging them to be persistent and focus on improvement rather than results. 

 

We live in a digitally connected world that is changing rapidly and demanding lifelong learners. One of the most significant benefits of ePortfolios is the creation of self-conducted and motivated students who can work in any environment. We can help them become autodidacts by implementing e-Portfolios and preparing them for a better future. During the length of this pilot, I will collect data and present it to you to evaluate a future expansion of my Innovation Plan. The students could use their existing school district's digital devices and accounts. I request your support in implementing this pilot to benefit our fifth-grade students.

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Sincerely, 

Maria Lopez

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