adapted from Learning from Experience, "Developing Portraits of Practice"
At this point in the case study, you would have introduced your concerns with eportfolios into the discussion. To participate in the discussion, take one step back.
Your team supports the concept of eportfolios. They are not experts in all areas. At this point in the project they are concerned with the technological strain and implications. You need to invite your experts into the loop and gain support. With a diverse level of technological literacy among group members you run the risk of false assumptions, misunderstandings, and barriers to community building.
To create a sense of community you need to make efforts to be inclusive and also present appropriate expertise and information in a non-threatening way.
The suggested technological issues identified are:
hardware and software solutions need to be identified
storage space, access speed, and bandwidth must be addressed
"I think these are important issues, but I believe what is more central is whether or not we believe an e-portfolio system is worth our while in terms of value to students and to the organization. If it is, then we should find ways to mke the technology work" - Sue, Apr 5 2006 12:46pm "This is boring" - Bored Bonnie, Jan 10 2006 4:16pm "This is my response." - Michael, Jan 5 2006 7:43am "You raise some legitimate concerns but our accreditation visit and ensuing research have made a call for the eportfolio solution. How can we address these concerns as we move ahead with our eportfolio solution?" - BillGates, Nov 8 2005 9:10am "I think these issues should be addressed while we continue to move forward with the project." - lynn, Oct 17 2005 7:13pm "fas" - fsd, Aug 28 2005 8:10pm "Privacy doesn't matter to me. What I am concerned with is how to design and implement a portfolio, and if it is really helpful." - Pilar SG, Aug 23 2005 4:58am "Let's list them and determine what our next steps should be. OK?" - Patti, Feb 9 2005 9:46am "these are legitimate concerns and require some additional exploration before the insitution commits to anything. Once the research has been completed some of the concerns may be resolved or require development of strategies for dealing with them." - Mary, Feb 1 2005 6:13pm "these are legitimate concerns and require some additional exploration before the insitution commits to anything. Once the research has been completed some of the concerns may be resolved or require development of strategies for dealing with them." - Mary, Feb 1 2005 6:08pm "Concerned about the presentation and the marketability of it." - Jesus, Feb 1 2005 1:05pm "all students are required to have broadband; we will have to invest in a new server to dedicate to portfolios - but this is a positive long-term investment; we do need to discuss issues of privacy...there are many ethical and legal issues that have not be fully answered with respect to portfolios. My goal is to reolsolve interoperability issues by selecting the right eportfolio software." - Diane, Jan 25 2005 3:27am "candomor" - pol, Dec 25 2004 11:17am "Privacy and interoperability... yeah we need those!" - John, Dec 20 2004 9:50am "Can we guarantee each student a perfectly private storage facility where their portfolio will not be accessed illegitimately?" - Bill Boss, Dec 20 2004 9:18am "If we have students prepare a truly reflective portfolio, then we need to examine the ethical question of exposing their views to a greater audience. Are they emotionally prepared for this kind of scrutiny?" - Shanta Do-RIght, Nov 22 2004 7:03am
