2022 Annual Forum on Open Learning and ePortfolios

Forum Track Descriptions

• Open Learning Track

  Opportunities for exploring open learning approaches abound in our current higher education environment, and best practices are evolving regarding course design, development, delivery, and assessment. Sessions for the Open Learning track will address established approaches and emerging models associated with excellence in open learning, open pedagogy, and open educational resources. Of particular interest are strategies intentionally designed to emphasize and leverage the intersection between student agency, community connections/collaboration, access, and affordability. Sessions in this track will focus on, but are not limited to

  • strategies and approaches that enable students, faculty, and publishers to create, share, publish, and remix knowledge via openly licensed work;
  • open education strategies, including Open Educational Resources (OER), as a means to increase college affordability, reduce degree attainment gaps, improve learning for all students, and improve course quality;
  • strategies to ensure those without broadband, the latest technologies, and other resources are treated equitably in learning settings; and
  • the use of faculty learning communities, workshop series, summer institutes, communities of practice, and emerging faculty and leadership development approaches that are empowering faculty and leaders as they leverage open learning practices and lead open learning initiatives.

• ePortfolio Practice and Research Track

  For decades, ePortfolios have been used on numerous campuses worldwide, advancing teaching and learning, assessment, career development, and other key initiatives. Faculty and other educational professionals are working at every stage of ePortfolio application and adoption, including performing in-depth research on the use and effectiveness of ePortfolios . Sessions in this track will address hands-on, practical applications of ePortfolios based on firsthand experience in developing ePortfolio programs and incorporating ePortfolios into pedagogical and assessment practices. This track is also a place to share the results of research on ePortfolios, serving to inform our ePortfolio practices and strategies for enhanced student learning, student success, assessment, and career development. Sessions in this track will focus on, but are not limited to

  • how to use ePortfolios to help students integrate their learning experiences within a course, across a program, and across learning opportunities and life experiences;
  • the effects of ePortfolio use on student performance, including deep learning, GPA, completion, reflective practice, motivation, and other key outcomes;
  • instructional and assessment approaches, including the use of ePortfolios for signature work, scaffolded learning development, and program improvement, as well as ePortfolio's role as a high-impact practice;
  • professional development applications and uses, including faculty development toward the integration of ePortfolios into instruction and assessment practices at various levels;
  • assisting students with career development as well as how employers and institutions are using ePortfolios in their hiring and professional development practices; and
  • emerging ePortfolio topics, such as digital ethics, storytelling through ePortfolios in times of crisis, and equity and inclusion.