Who Owns the ePortfolio?

“The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” (Michael Altshuler) While reflecting on my learning and growth thus far during the creation of my ePortfolio, this quote rang true for me. The calendar days are rapidly slipping by me, but when my time in this course and even the entire program is up, I will still be in control of my life’s work. It will not stop when I am no longer led by an instructor. I will continue to evolve both personally and professionally, and as a digital learning professional, that journey will be documented via my digital footprint. This digital footprint will encompass many platforms and applications as new technologies arise, but my ePortfolio will remain a constant throughout my career.

One could reason that I do not have 100% ownership over the portfolio since the major components of it have been designed and directed by Lamar University, but the COVA model has given me the creative freedom to bring those elements to life using the site, tools, design, and arrangement of my choosing. Since I have spent many hours working independently to make my ePortfolio one that I can both take pride in and feel driven to further develop, I believe this work in progress is mine, and mine alone. I AM the “pilot” after all.

Although I am in control of my learning outcomes, I must give credit where credit is due by saying I am very appreciative of the guidance given by my professors. The learning I have acquired so far through the completion of the individual “Evidence of Learning” modules has been life changing both personally and professionally. Building this ePortfolio has given me a boost in self-confidence since I wasn’t sure if my technology skills were strong enough to allow me to be successful in the program. It has also changed my instructional strategies in the classroom, and my students have been more engaged than they have in previous years.

So, to sum up my thoughts on this essential question, I feel confident in saying: although Lamar is partially responsible for setting me on my current path, the projects and artifacts I take away from the program are mine. As the “pilot” I have been given directions, but there was never any guarantee that I would arrive at the intended destination.