I have discussed in previous blog posts on how PR programs and professors can incorporate new technologies into the classroom. From setting up Twitter accounts to having a Facebook page for the specific class– these are all good ways to increase learning outside the classroom with their students. But here is a question for you– what about when it comes to showcasing your skills to your future employer? How do you present yourself online? This is where ePortfolios come into play.
This article discusses how one professor at Washington State University incorporated Word press blog software into the classroom for her students to use to create presentations that were shared with faculty, other students, and professionals.
The graph above shows how the students performed on the midterm in the class (blue), and how they performed on their final exam after receiving feedback from the professionals that were part of the class activity. As you can see, the students improved significantly from the midterm to the final. The article lists that this activity was beneficial for all parties involved by point out the following:
“This process illustrates that high standards can also be applied to students working in teams doing things in their own ways, constructing their own understanding of professional success and in many cases, with input from peers, faculty, and pros, realizing that success. But even faculty and professionals identified gains in their own understanding, their own lifelong learning. This entire community of practice learned from the experience” (p.2)
To best prepare students for the workplace, we have to make sure that we not only give them the theoretical background of what is going on in the world (phenomenon), but we also have to give them the skills and tools to apply this to their respective disciplines. Understanding the expectations and skills that professionals are expecting recent college graduates to have is very important– students have to be able to not only represent themselves professionally as a PR professional, but the program that they came from.
The authors of this article mentioned that there were many benefits to using ePortfolios in the classroom. The first one deals with determining from a variety of different sources (ex. scholars and professionals) to determine if the studnet has mastered the material in the classroom to best prepare them for their future job.
The second benefit listed focused more on “establishing and validating a shared discourse around principles of quality provides a rich and useful way to distribute the legitimate need for greater accountability in education” (Brown et al., 2009, p.4). There are just certain skill sets that students are expected to have, and I believe that this particular class at Washington State University did an excellent job incorporating new technologies and the different perspectives of scholars and professionals to determine how to best prepare students for the workplace. A more integrated approach (ex. scholars and practitioners working together) is definitely needed, especially in the Public Relations field. That is just my personal opinion. 🙂
Hope all is going well and have a wonderful day!
Best Wishes,
Karen
Reference
Brown, G., Peterson,N., Chida, M., & Desrosiere, T. (Feb. 4, 2009). Portfolios, the harvesting gradebook, accountability, and community. Retrieved on February 4, 2009 from http://campustechnology.com/Articles/2009/02/04/ePortfolios-and-Communities-of-Practice.aspx?Page=1.
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