Open-ended Web-based Portfolios
Lee Jieun(ezearth@nate.com)
Keumjeong Highschool
Pusan, Korea
Portfolios are selected collections of a variety of performance-based work which are totally included students' growth and improvement. Nowadays, Blended learning is going to be highlighted which combines online and face-to-face approaches. In my class, portfolios and on-line activity was blended. In order to collect the total performance processes, it is essential to use the advantages of on-line activity so as to concurrently discuss and variously create. And I also emphasis on the way of open-ended approach. Open-ended activities are characterized by long duration, flexible cooperation, dynamic development and creative thinking. When I suggest students to make the final products on the way of the open-ended approach, they seemed to be embarrassed on the start. But at last, they got me embarrassed because their final products were so various and creative. Teachers should believe students' hidden potential and take it out through long term observation. Open-ended web-based portfolios may stimulate students' continuous interests and efforts to make their works more perfectly. The following materials resulted from Keumjeong high school science class in 2004 which set out to perform creatively and cooperately through open-ended web-based portfolios.


How do I start using computers and the Internet in my teaching?

- Each group select the subject of portfolios and receive a action plan format
.. from a teacher.
- Each group search the information on the web and make a list on the action
.. plan sheet. This action plan should be filled out in detail from the stage of
.. preparation to the stage of presentation.
- While seeing the schedule web board and comparing their submitted action
.. plan with other team' one, choose best day and time to present.
- With a printed each team's action plan, members and a teachers have a
.. brainstorming time about the best way to perform. Not even this time, they
.. discuss continuously on the web-based portfolio BBSs about ICT usages,
.. effective presentation methods and creative performing methods.


How do I take student characteristics into account?

- Each team has 6 members and assign a role considering a student's good
.. points and characteristics.
- After investigating students' computer application skills, train or encourage to
.. make ICT contents to the best of their ability

Exemplar1
     
   
Subject Future Robot Group No. 1(6 students)
Method - Draw and paint graphics and pictures using a computer
- Create slide presentations with background music
Content/
Comment		 [Student's Narration]
This robot is characterized with features and multifariousness of the human being. Like the human being, it will be able to sympathize and to have a feeling of great sorrow. In the film "Terminator, the human being is the object to be conquered by robot. But we want to show the image of coexistence and make the image of happy future' robots with a mind.
[Teacher's comment]To transfer the image of future robots, this group create their own painting using computer. Specially one member of this group has a great ability to draw. But They all together discussed and  created a step-by-step plan for painting. The concept of this painting is  astonished enough to show their expecting for future robots. I heard it took a long time to select even a background music. It seem to be exerted by themselves to the utmost every parts of this picture.
Grade  ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú
Program/
ICT setting		 Painter 6.1, Adobe Photoshop, Powerpoint
/ Digital pen mouse  to perform natural painting,
Projection TV & Laptop computer to present a clean drawing to an audience
 
     
    How do I motivate and support learners?

- Introduce various events held in local society and guide informations newly
.. published, and find out the relations with their subject
- Encourage students to find their materials on the internet shopping site, to
.. order directly and to make their works by themselves

Exemplar2
     
   
Subject Robot making Group No. 2(6 students)
Method - Order robot kits and assemble parts into the robot
- Visit " The 9 th World Robot Football Competition" and record using a camcorder
Content/
Comment		 - By assembling the robot they introduced to basic electronics and mechanical design.
- They recorded observation accurately at the Robot Football  Competition
/ This group elicited feedback and responded accordingly while showing their assembled robot and recorded video files. Assembling and visiting practically is good chance to learn  live knowledge.
Grade  ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ù
ICT setting  camcorder, Projection TV
 
     
   

How do I ensure access and technical support?

- give students the chance to use many kinds of ICT tools and let them select
.. the best media by themselves
- If students want to learn ICT making methods, recommend them easy
.. software to learn.

Exemplar3

   
Subject Artificial ecosphere Group No. 3(6 students)
Method - Introduce "the Biosphere 2 Project" built in Arizona
- Make artificial ecosystem with rubber clay and show their exhibits on the web
Content/
Comment		 - This group investigated and collected information about artificial ecosystem, made a blueprint and built own city with rubber clay.
- This group developed digitally edited materials including audio, motion pictures, still-frame pictures, motion graphics, and still-frame graphics./ This job had very long term duration because making clay artifical city which has the tropical climate, an arid climate, a marsh area , a farming land, a desert and a human residence place was so delicate and editing video files were unfamiliar. To the end, they made an effort for 3 months, finally made good jobs and got good compliments.
Grade  ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú
Program/
ICT setting		  HT Video Editor/
 Projection TV, Camcorder, Digital camera, Computer
 
     
   

How do I get learners to work as a group?

- Encourage all member' participation and suggest various activity to make a
.. performance together

Exemplar4

     
   
Subject water contamination Group No. 4(6 students)
Method - Research and discuss the environmental contamination on line and off line
- Create a scenario and make motion pictures for water protecting campaign
Content/
Comment		 - This group first made a scenario to predict logically and show clear understanding of human impact on the water contamination
- This group  made the campaign pictures recommending possible solutions for preventing or minimizing the harmful effects of such a contamination.
/ Four members were actors, one member were a camera director and the last were a total producer. Every member played an important role. The Scenario was so funny and beneficial. Audience enjoyed a lot because their close friends were main actors. It is the best way to show their willingness to protect the nature. Isn't it  impressive that they shout catch-phrase in front of the globe?
Grade  ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ú ¡Ù
Program/
ICT setting		 HT Video Editor/
Projection TV & Laptop computer, Camcorder