As a follow-up to the Day of Dialogue (February 2009) this day focused on practical strategic planning for ePortfolios.

The orientation by Kevin Kelly (SFSU), Helen Chen (Stanford), and Una Daly (ePortfolio California), provided information about implementation, emerging definitions, and the pilot process. The following workshops included Kevin Kelly discussing Mapping ePortfolio artifacts or assignments to objectives -- class, program/department, college, campus, and national (e.g., AAC&U LEAP Expected Learning Outcomes), and Maggie Beers (SFSU) with Creating an ePortfolio Culture.

The Panel Discussion on Broad Perspectives provided unique perspectives. Helen Chen, well known in the ePortfolio community, brought years of intense and in-depth research to share; Lynne Groves from MnSCU's Office of the Chancellor represented Minnesota - the first state to adopt a statewide initiative to support ePortfolios for everyone who lives there; Ken O'Donnell from the California State University Chancellor's Office looked at ePortfolios in relation to academic programming - specifically General Education; John Whitmer from the California Virtual Campus coordinates a pilot program to develop ePortfolio services for K-20 institutions across California; Maggie Beers covered the operational piece of implementation on one campus with many options.

Another hands on session discussing Implementation allowed for open discussion, and our Five Minutes of Acclaim presenters included Chico, Capella, East LA, Foothill, Pierce, Minnesota, Valdosta, Seattle Pacific, and Virginia Tech.

The ePortfolio Day of Planning was carefully balanced to include an overview, hands-on workshops, a panel discussion, “5-minutes-of-acclaim” sessions, and the closing. Workshops provided guided instruction, time-on-task, and time for discussions. Going through the steps in the order provided, and doing so in a group setting will provide for the best experience.

See October's newsletter to read more about Dr. Maggie Beers' presentation at the AAC&U “Fresh Air Summit on ePortfolios” this summer in Washington DC. Dr. Beers, Director of Academic Technology at San Francisco State, was asked to describe what practices can be institutionalized to support ePortfolios, and what challenges still persist.