The Smart Portfolio for the Teacher as Scholar
Step 1. Materials
Step 2. Preparing the Binder
Using the Smart Portfolio diagram as a guide,
prepare a three-ring binder and place three partitions (all the same
color is recommended) -- one each for the Collecting, Working, and
Showcase sections.
Step 3. Indexing the Collection Points
Within the boundaries of the three Collecting,
Working, and Showcase sections of the portfolio, place one index Tab
Partition in the binder for each of the 12 Collection Points as shown
in the Smart Portfolio diagram.
Collecting Artifacts. Just as the
Teacher-Learner is a collector, so is the Teacher as Scholar, but for a
markedly different reason. The Teacher as Learner builds a knowledge
base and makes connections in order to understand and apply the
literature in the field. The Teacher as Scholar collects artifacts to
add to a personal knowledge base. It is a prerequisite to be aware of
current thinking before attempting to extend or generate new knowledge
in the field.
Working Artifacts. The Teacher as
Scholar demonstrates an ability to integrate and apply knowledge,
skills, and experiences in the teaching and learning experience. Honing
those skills and gaining expertise enables the scholar to showcase work
and gain recognition for contributions to the field.
Showcase Artifacts. Showcase Collection
Points are the domain of the Teacher as Scholar. The Showcase section
of the portfolio provides new folders which are created to better serve
this time of professional development.
The focus of new artifacts for this
portfolio will be in the Showcase Partitions under Service, Teaching,
and Scholarship. Collecting and Working support the portfolio and move
the Teacher as Scholar from a participant to an authority in the field.
Because of the nature of the Teacher as Scholar, the emphasis for the
Smart portfolio is on expertise, honing skills, deepening
understandings, and gaining recognition as a scholar.
Step 4. Affixing Labels
Using the labels provided below, affix the
Title and each of the Three Sections of the portfolio to the top of the
partition followed by labels for each of the 12 Collection Points.
Foley will provide examples of the artifacts
that belong in each of the Collection Points. If you have already
reviewed the previous Teacher-Learner or Teacher-Expert
implementations, you will note two new folders in the dominant Showcase
area and two revised folders in the Working partitions for this final
version of the Smart Portfolio.
Step 5. Completing Your Smart Portfolio
Once the partitions are secured in the binder
and labels have been affixed, the portfolio is ready to accept
artifacts.
We strongly recommend that you continue to work
on your Concept Paper, "My Philosophy of Teaching and Learning." This
concept paper will help you think about how you conceive teaching and
learning as issues in your own professional development. For the
Teacher as Scholar, this philosophy has changed over time. Any efforts
you expend now to refine your understanding of these concepts will
prove beneficial to others as well as yourself you continue to develop
as a teacher-educator.
Step 6. Exhibiting Your Smart Portfolio
Periodically, you will be asked to display the
contents of your Smart Portfolio -- or at least the most significant
artifacts that you have accumulated. The following graphic depicts the
use of a posterboard to assist with this exhibition. This is one way to
demonstrate that you are using your Smart Portfolio for personal growth
and professional development. Take advantage of this format if it
proves useful.
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Portfolio Exercise Main Menu
Copyright ©2004
by Dr. Lawrence Tomei
Created 1998
Revised 10/28/2004
Contact Information: Email: tomei@rmu.edu