Developing Your Portfolio - Enhancing Your Learning and Showing Your Stuff : A Guide for the Early Childhood Student or Professional

"Portfolios have often been used as a way for teachers to monitor and assess their students' progress, but this book picks up on the current trend of using portfolios to assess teachers themselves as part of their degree requirements. As a professional development tool, portfolios are also useful for classroom teachers in evaluating their practice, and in showcasing their skills and accomplishments for use in interviews. Veteran teacher educators Marianne Jones and Marilyn Shelton provide practical and comprehensive guidance specific to the needs of pre- and in-service teachers of young children. This thoroughly revised and updated new edition features: A flexible and friendly approach that guides students at varying levels of experience through the portfolio process. New material on the portfolio planning stage and additional coverage on the importance of developing a personal philosophy. A companion website with additional instructor materials such as printable templates, exercises for improving portfolio skills, and more. Both theoretical and practical, the book addresses issues and mechanics related to process and product, instruction and guidance techniques, the role of reflection, and assessment strategies. With concrete examples, rubrics, tips, and exercises, this book will provide a step-by-step guide to creating a professional teaching portfolio"--Provided by publisher. "Portfolios aren't just for documenting the work of young children--they can also be powerful resources for early childhood educators' professional preparation and development, from evaluating one's classroom practice to showcasing skills and accomplishments. Veteran teacher educators Marianne Jones and Marilyn Shelton provide practical and comprehensive guidance on developing a portfolio specific to the needs of pre- and in-service teachers of young children. This updated new edition features: - A flexible and friendly approach that guides students at varying levels of experience through the portfolio process. - New material on portfolio planning and organization and additional coverage on writing rationales and captions - A companion website with additional instructor and student resources such as guides for activities, PowerPoint slides, printable templates, questions to ponder, and worksheets for improving students' portfolio skills. Both theoretical and practical, this valuable resource addresses issues and mechanics related to process and product, instruction and guidance techniques, the role of reflection, and assessment strategies. With concrete examples, rubrics, tips, and exercises, this book provides a step-by-step guide to creating a professional teaching portfolio"--Provided by publisher. Title Page ......Page 4 Copyright......Page 5 Contents......Page 6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS......Page 9 INTRODUCTION......Page 10 Why Start a Book About Portfolios with Human Development and Constructivism?......Page 13 Constructivism......Page 14 The Other Side of Human Development......Page 19 Why Our Teaching Practices in Adult Learning Environments Often Do Not Reflect Our Constructivist Beliefs......Page 21 How Constructivism Applies to Adult Learners ......Page 24 Implications for the Adult Learning Environment......Page 25 A Final Note......Page 26 Constructivism and Portfolios......Page 27 Our Journey to Portfolios: A Constructivist Story......Page 29 What Are Portfolios?......Page 30 Characteristics of Portfolios......Page 31 Benefits of Portfolio Development......Page 32 Challenging Aspects of Portfolio Development......Page 35 A Final Note......Page 36 CHAPTER 3: Portfolio Orientation: Purpose, Type, Context, Structure, and Audience ......Page 37 Purpose, Type, Context, Structure, and Audience: What is the Difference? ......Page 38 A Closer Look at Purpose ......Page 39 Purpose as it Applies to All Types of Portfolios ......Page 40 A Final Note ......Page 48 CHAPTER 4: Planning and Organizing for a Successful Portfolio ......Page 49 Planning Overview ......Page 51 Organizing Overview ......Page 63 A Final Note ......Page 74 Philosophy: A Quick Refresher ......Page 75 Philosophy Statement: The Unifying Element of Portfolios ......Page 79 Dispositions: Getting into the Right Frame of Mind ......Page 81 Philosophy Statement Essentials ......Page 82 Sample Philosophy Statements ......Page 86 A Final Note ......Page 88 CHAPTER 6: Reflection: The Defining Feature of Portfolios ......Page 89 Reflection in Practice ......Page 90 Reflection and Learning Frames ......Page 92 Becoming Accomplished in Written Reflection ......Page 93 Anatomy of a Reflection ......Page 97 Tools for Written Reflection ......Page 98 A Final Note ......Page 103 What is Evidence?......Page 104 General Guidelines for Selecting and Using Evidence......Page 108 Writing Rationales for Evidence Included in the Portfolio......Page 113 Writing Captions that Accompany Artifacts or Illustrations......Page 118 Characteristics of Portfolio Types that Influence Your Choices of Evidence......Page 120 Assessment: Formative and Summative Looks at Portfolios......Page 145 A Final Note......Page 152 Print or Electronic Format?......Page 153 Structuring Portfolios......Page 156 Release for Photographs......Page 165 Design Tips......Page 166 Using PowerPoint to Create an Electronic Portfolio......Page 168 Converting Documents for Inclusion in the Portfolio......Page 173 Gentle Reminders......Page 174 A Final Note......Page 175 REFERENCES......Page 176 INDEX......Page 180 Back Cover ......Page 184 Title Page 4 Copyright 5 Contents 6 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 9 INTRODUCTION 10 CHAPTER 1: Human Development and Constructivism 13 Why Start a Book About Portfolios with Human Development and Constructivism? 13 Constructivism 14 The Other Side of Human Development 19 Why Our Teaching Practices in Adult Learning Environments Often Do Not Reflect Our Constructivist Beliefs 21 How Constructivism Applies to Adult Learners 24 Implications for the Adult Learning Environment 25 A Final Note 26 CHAPTER 2: How Portfolios Reflect Constructivism 27 Constructivism and Portfolios 27 Our Journey to Portfolios: A Constructivist Story 29 What Are Portfolios? 30 Characteristics of Portfolios 31 Benefits of Portfolio Development 32 Challenging Aspects of Portfolio Development 35 A Final Note 36 CHAPTER 3: Portfolio Orientation: Purpose, Type, Context, Structure, and Audience 37 Purpose, Type, Context, Structure, and Audience: What is the Difference? 38 A Closer Look at Purpose 39 Relationships: Purpose, Type, Context, Structure, and Audience 40 Purpose as it Applies to All Types of Portfolios 40 A Final Note 48 CHAPTER 4: Planning and Organizing for a Successful Portfolio 49 Planning Overview 51 Organizing Overview 63 A Final Note 74 CHAPTER 5: Philosophy: The Unifying Element of Portfolios 75 Your Educational Philosophy 75 Philosophy: A Quick Refresher 75 Philosophy Statement: The Unifying Element of Portfolios 79 Dispositions: Getting into the Right Frame of Mind 81 Philosophy Statement Essentials 82 Sample Philosophy Statements 86 A Final Note 88 CHAPTER 6: Reflection: The Defining Feature of Portfolios 89 Prerequisites for Reflection 90 Reflection in Practice 90 Reflection and Learning Frames 92 Becoming Accomplished in Written Reflection 93 Anatomy of a Reflection 97 Tools for Written Reflection 98 A Final Note 103 CHAPTER 7: Building a Portfolio 104 What is Evidence? 104 General Guidelines for Selecting and Using Evidence 108 Writing Rationales for Evidence Included in the Portfolio 113 Writing Captions that Accompany Artifacts or Illustrations 118 Characteristics of Portfolio Types that Influence Your Choices of Evidence 120 Assessment: Formative and Summative Looks at Portfolios 145 A Final Note 152 CHAPTER 8: Structure, Design, and Construction of Print and Electronic Portfolios 153 Print or Electronic Format? 153 Structuring Portfolios 156 Release for Photographs 165 Design Tips 166 Using PowerPoint to Create an Electronic Portfolio 168 Converting Documents for Inclusion in the Portfolio 173 Gentle Reminders 174 A Final Note 175 REFERENCES 176 INDEX 180 Back Cover 184 9780415800518,(hbk),9780415800525,(pbk),978–0–203–83503–6,(ebk) Taylor & Francis Routledge Portfolios Aren't Just For Documenting The Work Of Young Children--they Can Also Be Powerful Resources For Early Childhood Educators' Professional Preparation And Development, From Evaluating One's Classroom Practice To Showcasing Skills And Accomplishments. Veteran Teacher Educators Marianne Jones And Marilyn Shelton Provide Practical And Comprehensive Guidance On Developing A Portfolio Specific To The Needs Of Pre- And In-service Teachers Of Young Children. This Updated New Edition Features: - A Flexible And Friendly Approach That Guides Students At Varying Levels Of Experience Through The Portfolio Process. - New Material On Portfolio Planning And Organization And Additional Coverage On Writing Rationales And Captions - A Companion Website With Additional Instructor And Student Resources Such As Guides For Activities, Powerpoint Slides, Printable Templates, Questions To Ponder, And Worksheets For Improving Students' Portfolio Skills. Both Theoretical And Practical, This Valuable Resource Addresses Issues And Mechanics Related To Process And Product, Instruction And Guidance Techniques, The Role Of Reflection, And Assessment Strategies. With Concrete Examples, Rubrics, Tips, And Exercises, This Book Provides A Step-by-step Guide To Creating A Professional Teaching Portfolio--provided By Publisher. Human Development And Constructivism -- How Portfolios Reflect Constructivism -- Portfolio Orientation : Purpose, Type, Context, Structure, And Audience -- Planning And Organizing For A Successful Portfolio -- Philosophy : The Unifying Element Of Portfolios -- Reflection : The Defining Feature Of Portfolios -- Building A Portfolio -- Structure, Design, And Construction Of Print And Electronic Portfolios. Marianne Jones And Marilyn Shelton. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.

Portfolios have often been used as a way for teachers to monitor and assess their students' progress, but this book picks up on the current trend of using portfolios to assess teachers themselves as part of their degree requirements. As a professional development tool, portfolios are also useful for classroom teachers in evaluating their practice, and in showcasing their skills and accomplishments for use in interviews.

Veteran teacher educators Marianne Jones and Marilyn Shelton provide practical and comprehensive guidance specific to the needs of pre- and in-service teachers of young children. This thoroughly revised and updated new edition features:

• A flexible and friendly approach that guides students at varying levels of experience through the portfolio process.

• New material on the portfolio planning stage and additional coverage on the importance of developing a personal philosophy.

• A companion website with additional instructor materials such as printable templates, exercises for improving portfolio skills, and more.

Both theoretical and practical, the book addresses issues and mechanics related to process and product, instruction and guidance techniques, the role of reflection, and assessment strategies. With concrete examples, rubrics, tips, and exercises, this book will provide a step-by-step guide to creating a professional teaching portfolio.

"Portfolios aren't just for documenting the work of young children--they can also be powerful resources for early childhood educators' professional preparation and development, from evaluating one's classroom practice to showcasing skills and accomplishments. Veteran teacher educators Marianne Jones and Marilyn Shelton provide practical and comprehensive guidance on developing a portfolio specific to the needs of pre- and in-service teachers of young children. This updated new edition features: - A flexible and friendly approach that guides students at varying levels of experience through the portfolio process. - New material on portfolio planning and organization and additional coverage on writing rationales and captions - A companion website with additional instructor and student resources such as guides for activities, PowerPoint slides, printable templates, questions to ponder, and worksheets for improving students' portfolio skills. Both theoretical and practical, this valuable resource addresses issues and mechanics related to process and product, instruction and guidance techniques, the role of reflection, and assessment strategies. With concrete examples, rubrics, tips, and exercises, this book provides a step-by-step guide to creating a professional teaching portfolio"-- Provided by publisher