IT659 - Reflection Essays

As part of their portfolios, students must write reflection essays addressing how their experiences in the ETS program helped them meet ISTE standards for our field.

As they write the essays students should cite specific examples of projects they worked on to explain their experiences. Any project addressed in the essays must also be included in the portfolio, both web and DVD. The file name of the project mentioned should be listed after it is referenced in the essay, written in brackets. [IT651.PDF], [IT652.MOV], etc.

Below is an example of how to write a class name and cite a project:

"During the design phase of my webquest in IT614: Technology in Education I made sure the HTML was compatible with screen readers for the blind as well as full of images for visual learners. My use of the web includes message design for a range of learners [IT614_webquest.html]."

Students can discuss experiences they have had in real world settings, but these topics should be framed in the context of the ETS class which provided the basis of the experience. The other source for references is journals from internships, which should be included and cited like all other projects.

The essays should be approximately three pages in length. Students will write five essays, one for each of the six standard areas. Essays will be written for each of Visionary Leadership; Teaching, Learning, and Assessments; Digital Age Learning Environments; Professional Development and Program Evaluation; and Content Knowledge and Professional Growth.

These essays then become core linking content for students' web portfolio.

Evaluation:

Below is the basic evaluation form.

Example:

Click for an example (it does not have the projects, just the essays).Note: the examples are from portfolios developed for the old AECT standards.

 

 
  Poor Fair Good Excellent
Reflection Essay: Writing Writing is vague, grammatical and typographical errors are common. Writing is mainly free of errors. Inconsistent quality of writing through essays, especially as standards are addressed. A clear and well written account of how relevant standards were met.
Writing expresses points clearly, provides details on standards and given examples. Writing is free of grammatical and typographical errors.

Reflection Essay: Content
Not all standards and dispositions are addressed.


Most dispositions & standards are addressed, but there is an inconsistent quality of response. All dispositions and standards are addressed. All dispositions and standards are addressed thoroughly. Links between standards and dispositions are shown to demonstrate synthesis.
Reflection Essay: Relevance to Standards
Entries have no relation to standards or actual work from each course. 		Entries discuss work in each course and standards, but don't make consistent connections between. Connections between work and standards are established. The connections are mainly supported by specific instances from work. Connections are well established through examples. The connections are bolstered through specific instances and examples from work.