This year I discovered a European website - called EMMA- which provides MOOCs, many have to do with education and learning. It is a useful website which can enhance our learning and help us develop as teachers and life-long learners.
EMMA is an innovative platform that provides free MOOCs. Some are self-paced - this implies that we can choose when to do the MOOC. I could enroll to do the MOOC about E-Portfolios before the summer but only in December I could work on the lessons as I was busy while working at school. If you do 70% of the activities you are given a certificate of attendance.
The course online was released in 2015 but they offered a " Self-development course" in 2016 too:
We had to watch videos, reflect on what we had seen and think about our ideas about ePortfolios.
Lessons were presented by providing an introduction, videos and a lot of links and documents online.The tutors made a list of sources for each lesson and I must admit that I bookmarked them as I am going to check them later.
The overall framework was clear and well-organized. I must admit that I have been given a great introduction to what is now required at work,at school and at university too.
Definition of e-Portfolios
EPortfolios have been used for showcasing learner work and to support formative or summative assessment processes.
Now ePortfolios offer many more possibilities like storing, archiving, thinking, reflecting, storytelling, collaborating and publishing about one's learning experiences.
E-Portfolios can show your achievements, your reflections and what you have been doing as part of your professional development
This is an interesting use of Portfolios and I think that we will be required to use them in our profession: this is what I have been doing when I do MOOCs online and in many cases I have been asked to reflect online and share my reflections after attending some conferences online.
ePortfolios Ownership We can have different types of Portfolios: - Individual ePortfolio - Institutional / Organization ePortfolio A good example is the European Language Portfolio - Individual ePortfolio within an institution/organization
I am already familiar with the European Language Portfolio:
In Education ePortfolios offer the opportunity to create and manage an online space of digital artefacts that provide evidence of competencies and abilities acquired over a specific period of time.
They should support growth and change .
My Reflections and what I would like to do in class with my students
First think about modern tools which can be used by them: Google Apps and in particular New Google Sites can be used to showcase their artefacts.
Here are some interesting Tutorials: I have just started my new website and I must admit that it is very easy. I might therefore support my students but I am sure they will be successful.
As a teacher I will continue blogging ....................................
As a teacher I will continue blogging and I will write about my profession and for my CPD as education requires reflecting on what we do in class, what we have learnt and how we can improve our methodologies:
Time for Christmas and time for holidays and thinking about the best ways we can better our way of working in a difficult situation for educators and also for the country.
While I was working online I came across some good documents which I could use in class with my students.
Videos online:classic tales
Useful for watching and viewing a story and learning new words.
A reading task which can be carried out while watching a film about this famous story by Dickens.
Watching a video advertising about Christmas
Watching advertising can tell us about a country and its traditions.
Watching a video about making " Panettone":
Watching how to make a special dessert in Italy while comparing what other countries have to celebrate Christmas or other special festivals.
Royal Christmas traditions in the UK
Learning about Victorian England and the tradition of Christmas.
Christmas is celebrated in a multitude of rich and cherished traditions. This illustrated timeline, brought to you by Balsam Hill Christmas Tree Company, captures the flow of some of the most popular Christmas traditions and figures throughout Christmas History.
