This is a teaching portfolio that is stored on the web or an external storage device. A digital portfolio helps teachers connect with other educators and reflect on their classroom experiences and provides a platform to showcase their work in an easy-to-access format. Creating and maintaining an updated digital portfolio is very important for modern teachers to market their abilities and skills in an increasingly digital society. Teachers can establish a digital portfolio by creating a website, blog, or professional presence on social media platforms, which can help them showcase their abilities and experiences in interview settings and to current employers, students, and parents.
Through resource sharing and reflections, a website can help students, parents, and employers comprehend a teacher’s professional potential. Teachers can conveniently create a website using Google Sites or a website builder. The website may include an “About the Teacher” page, individual pages for the courses the educator teaches, and a “Classroom Happenings” page that gives a glimpse into the teacher’s teaching environment. Teachers can also showcase examples of a unit or lesson plans, student work, or projects. They should include everything on the website that’ll help strengthen their digital presence and demonstrate their skills as educators.
A blog allows teachers to curate and display evidence of their abilities and classroom experiences. It’s also a wonderful way to reflect on their craft, which is very important to their growth and success. While typical resumes are brief and comprise only basic information like education, work history, etc., a digital portfolio as a blog offers a more dynamic representation of educators. Teachers can choose from several great platforms such as WordPress and Blogger to create professional-looking blogs. While a blog allows teachers to express themselves creatively, they should include some basic pages or sections. For instance, an “About” page that shares important details of the teacher or a drop-down menu containing a resume, published articles, and up-to-date contact information. Teachers may also include additional pages to showcase the skill sets that may help them stand out from the crowd.
Teachers should keep some dos and don’ts in mind when creating and maintaining a digital portfolio.
Dos:
· Sharing information about what’s happening in the classroom
· Mentioning relevant skills and classroom experiences
· Reflecting on what’s and what isn’t working in the classroom
· Sharing interviews, articles, and other projects they’ve been involved with
Don’ts:
· Sugarcoating the classroom experiences
· Vaguely describing the skill sets
