Self-directed learning (SDL) is viewed as a desirable outcome of schooling, yet scant information is available to educational leaders and teachers on how to implement an inquiry-based curriculum or to support effectively students’ development as self-directed learners. (Van Deur, 2005)

Self-directed learning empowers learners.  From Kindergarten to grade 12, students progress through multiple steps and overcome many obstacles.  But when teachers give them power over their own learning, they are empowered to succeed in life. One way to support learning is by ensuring students understand what they are doing, why they are doing it and when to do it.  In this objective, the e-portoflio helps the learner in creating his or her own environment for learning and repository for knowledge.

E-portfolios can also be defined as “personalized, Web-based collections of work, responses to work, and reflections that are used to demonstrate key skills and accomplishments for a variety of contexts and time periods. (Lorenzo, 2005)

Here are three e-portoflio tools, easily accessible, and available for the K-12 environment. 

• Educlipper
• Three Ring
• VoiceThread

Learning Activity:

1. Explore these tools and pick one that you prefer or suggest another to present to your peers.  Explain why and how you would (or do) use it, and post your reflection in the ETEC blog discussion.
2. How can e-portfolios support self-guided learning and, more specifically, metacognition (learning to learn)?  Post your thoughts in the ETEC blog discussion.

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Learn more:

• Why use the e-portolios?
• Video on the psychology of self-motivation