EDSC 7550 Portfolio

Your work in EDSC 7550 will be evaluated based on the construction and submission of your portfolio. Your portfolio will consist of samples of your work selected from the list of learning projects described below. You are encouraged to think carefully about the list, and choose the portfolio elements (learning projects) that reflect your interests and goals. The first FIVE elements are required; you should select FOUR additional elements from those listed here.

The selection of portfolio elements must be done so that your portfolio includes evidence of abilities for:

  • using a knowledge base that supports science teaching practice based on constructivism, a repertoire of instructional strategies, and skills to apply these to the science education of students in the schools, K-12.
  • using methods of inquiry and research findings to make professional science education decisions.
  • transcending your own personal experiences in order to make instructional decisions.
  • understanding methods of assessment and measurement that explore nontraditional or alternative realms of assessment.
  • understanding the ethical and moral responsibilities of educating youth in a system of compulsory education.

Procedure for Developing Your Portfolio

  • Save everything you do in this class.
  • Determine your goals and action plan for the course.
  • Determine the elements you wish to include in your portfolio. Look at the list ahead; remember the first five are required and you should select four additional from the others listed here.
  • Purchase a three-ring binder and bring it to class by August 30
  • After you decide which element to include in your portfolio, create sections using tabs or some other form to separate each element.
  • For each element, complete a "Self-reflection on Your Portfolio Element Form" and include it as the first page of the section for that element.
  • Complete the work for each element, and turn your portfolio in on November 29.
  • You will have a conference with your instructor on December 6 to go over your portfolio.
 Portfolio Elements and Explanations

 

Elements

 

Explanation
 Web-Based Activities

(Required)

Using the research presented in class, develop several web-based activities on a topic in your science curriculum.. The activities should be put on the "net" and presented to all of us. A template for lesson development can be found at this site: http://www.gsu.edu/~mstjrh/webbasedtemplate.html

International Clean Air Project

 

(Required)

You will be invited to participate (with your secondary students) in an Internet-based inquiry project, called the International Clean Air Project. In the Project you will monitor ground-level ozone at your school site for two-one-week period during the semester, share you data with others over the Internet, and use the Internet to discuss the results and draw conclusions. You should write a report outlining the problem you studied, the methods used, data collected, and the conclusions that you drew. You should also comment on the application of this activity to middle and high school science teaching.

 Web Site Development

(Required)

During the semester you will develop or enhance your professional science teaching web site. The site should consist of several pages, including a home page. The Web site can be put up on your GSU panther account, or your private Internet provider account, you can use "nicenet," or other "free" services on the net. You will be asked to "present" your site during the semester in class. You should include a copy of your "home" page in your portfolio.

 Windows into Science Classrooms

(required)

In this project you will have the opportunity to view science classrooms through different windows or perspectives. You will work with your classmates to apply a qualitative science education research study to the examination and analysis of secondary science classrooms. You and your team should prepare a report that summarizes your findings for the particular window that you used to view science classrooms. You should also use this project to look into your own classroom by bringing in artifacts from your class on a specified evening. The artifacts (photographs, examples of student work, map of the room, video clip, texts) should be used to show what your class is like and why you do things the way you do.

 Journal/Learning Log

(Required)

You should turn in as part of the Portfolio a learning log, which consists of reflective writing documenting your work in the course. Log entries should be 1) brief; limit each day's entry to no more than two facing pages in your log; 2) include left brain (verbal/logical) and right brain (intuitive, holistic, artistic) entries to reflect your thinking; 3) be made for each day of the Institute; 4) be kept in a separate book.

 Create Your Own

Design your own portfolio component. Be sure to get your instructors approval before you start it.

Fuzzy Situation

 

Write a "Fuzzy Situation" story based on a science/technology/society issue. The story must ask students to integrate content knowledge, logic and creativity. Include criteria that each student must include in their answer or description. Be sure to ask for prediction and opinion. Include a copy of your Fuzzy Situation in your portfolio.

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CLEO Project

Using CLEO, design and carry out a Web-Assisted Network Science activity with your students. Write a brief report, which should include the problem, methods, data collected, and the conclusions that you drew. You will also be asked to give a "5" minute show & tell on your project in class.

EEEP Design

Using the characteristics of an EEEP developed in class, develop an EEEP, and share it with your classmates. Put a copy of your EEEP in your portfolio, and if you wish, publish it on your Web Site.

 Your Philosophy of Science Teaching & How It Has Changed

Write a short report that describes your philosophy of science teaching and how it has changed or not changed as a result of your participation in the course.

Portfolio Design

Design a portfolio for one of the courses you are currently teaching. Use one of the models shown in the book Increasing Your Students' Science Achievement for the development of the portfolio. Include a copy of the finished product in your portfolio.

Science Education Bibliography

A list of the readings that you did in the course and the way you have read the book, article, chapter, paper or Internet source. For example, you might list a book and state "Chapters 5 and 8 were read thoroughly." You might list another book and sate "skimmed the book and found it irrelevant to my current goals." You might list another item such as an article and say, "I got so much out of this that I read it twice and made careful notes. In other words, what is wanted is an honest account of what you have read and the depth to which you have read the material

Favorite World Wide Web Sites

Using the computer resources on campus, identify five or your most favorite science/science education sites on the Internet. Try and download the homepage of each site, and be sure to include URL address as well. Discuss how you would use these sites in science teaching.

Think Piece

Create a "Think Piece" on some topic on related to one of the courses you teach. You will be participating in "think piece" discussions on the "net" via the class bulletin board. How can you apply this concept to the content of the courses you are teaching? Develop one; put it on the "net" in your website; share the results with us.

Internet Progress Report

A brief report summarizing your progress and your accomplishments using the Internet. You might want to include to extent to which you participated in the class discussions on the Net, and how these affected your progress in the course. You might also comment on the implications of your progress on your own teaching practice.

Mentor Project

A copy of your report that was presented in class and posted on your website.