Blogs as Showcase Portfolios by Kim Cofino

Blogs as Showcase Portfolios by Kim Cofino

            Librarian Kim Cofino loves to use blogs with her students as showcase portfolios. She helps them create their blogs, teaches them how to organize what they’ve posted to their blogs and shows them how to add links and media. She believes that it is the best way to showcase what her students have done all year, teach them to take responsibility for their work as well as teach them how to use the internet correctly and responsibly.

            The thing that sets the blogs a part from some other portfolio methods is the connectivity to other learners around the world. They can share what they are doing with other students and in Kim Cofino’s words, “build a global classroom.” (Cofino) The really great part is that when a student moves, the blog can be exported. Because blogs have become so popular, they have immediate relevance for the students. She has been working with the middle school teachers to help them teach the students how to use a blog effectively as a showcase portfolio. Cofino then goes on to describe a simple blog assignment and provides some links to blogs that her students have created. She makes sure to get the parents involved in the project by emailing them and encouraging them to talk with their children about what they are learning in school.

            Personally, I think it’s a great idea because it not only allows the students to take responsibility for their own learning, teaches them how to use the technology, but gets them excited about showing and telling others about what they have learned. I believe that this will hopefully inspire them to learn more and get into more learning conversations.

Citation:

Cofino, Kim. “Blogs as Showcase Portfolios.” Always Learning 12 Jun 2011. Web. 16 Jun 2011.

http://kimcofino.com/blog/feed/