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= // ﻿ e//Portfolios of the Iron Brigade = Questions/Comments? Please contact: Jeff Holliday (USHistory8), Lori Knox (Math8), Kevin McCann (Conceptual Physics8), Francis Raitano (Language Arts8)
 * Students → Iron Brigade Team → 8th Grade →** **Mellon MS →** **Mt. Lebanon SD → Pittsburgh → PA → U.S. → World**


 * ** Overview **
 * What is a portfolio?
 * What is the purpose?
 * What is included?
 * How do I select artifacts?
 * What will it look like?
 * When is it due?
 * When will I get started? ||


 * What is a portfolio? **

Your **ePortfolio** is a learning portfolio. It shows your learning and development over time as you hone the skills that will enable you to be successful at work, in life, and in school.

 * A portfolio is a flexible and powerful tool for documenting learning
 * You select the items that are included
 * You have the opportunity to explain why you chose each item
 * You see how you have grown and changed over time
 * A portfolio includes multiple items and responses to specific questions

The **ePortfolio** helps you demonstrate your growth on the five **21st Century Skills** that will help you be successful in the technology age.
 * What is the purpose? **
 * It can be used to show your range of skills and abilities to the MTLSD educational community, college admission representatives, and/or potential employers.
 * It helps you see your growth!
 * It is a bit like a test of your development on the 21st Century Skills
 * Learn to become an effective team member and a self-directed life-long learner
 * Demonstrate your research abilities
 * Become proficient with communication processes and technology

Any school related and school appropriate item can be included. Examples include:
 * What is included? Artifacts! **
 * PowerPoint presentations or Prezi presentations
 * Research reports or papers
 * Email communication with a teacher or classmate about a project or assignment
 * Wiki discussions
 * A laboratory report written with a classmate
 * Photograph working with others
 * Audio recording of a song
 * A poem from class
 * In short, any student-created video, audio production, interactive graphic work, or print document

You need an artifact from each of the **Five 21st Century Skills:**
 * 1) Self Knowledge
 * 2) Technology Tools
 * 3) Communication Process
 * 4) Collaboration and Community
 * 5) Research and Assessment Tools

You will also need:
 * Skills Resume
 * Personal Education Plan
 * Introduction of Self
 * Self-Reflective Video

Deadlines for submitting artifacts will be identified by the teacher(s) throughout the school year. Each artifact will include a written reflection.

Since this is a learning portfolio, any school-related and school-appropriate item may be selected.
 * How do I select artifacts? **

You should select items that:
 * show __good__ work, but not necessarily your best work.
 * you think you can improve upon.
 * you are proud of and want to show off.
 * you are able to write a reflection about.

If you are unsure whether an item qualifies, consult with your classmates or your teacher(s).

Your ePortfolio will be viewable by you, your peers, teachers, and parents. The details of each submission will be up to you, but everyone's portfolio will have the same general appearance.
 * What will it look like? **

1. Create a **new page**. Title it with your **last name**. Use the template called "**My ePortfolio Page**". Enter your full name and select "**save**". 2. You will find a table divided into two main sections: "Five 21st Century Skills" and "Other Artifacts". It is in this table that you will keep track of your artifacts. 3. Upload your artifacts to an appropriate place on the table (you can change your mind later and move them to another location) 4. Rename artifacts with the following format (Who_What_When) (Example: JHolliday_ReconstructionActivity_5.23.11)
 * How do I get started? **

You will need to be continually adding submissions throughout the school year as there is a lot of work required for each artifact
 * When is it due? **

Now!
 * When do I get started? **


 * References:**
 * Information on ePortfolios comes from the Introduction to Lesson 1-08 in the //21st Century Skills Digital Library// located on //The Center for Experiential Learning, Leadership, and Technology// website.
 * Information on 21st Century Learning Skills comes from The Partnership for 21st Century Skills.
 * Iron Brigade image found at []

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