2023 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, open educational resources, and digital equity. 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, the following:

  • strategies and approaches which 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 to improve course quality
  • strategies to ensure those without broadband, the latest technologies, and other resources are treated equitably in learning settings
  • 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. In the spirit of reclaiming liberal education, our theme for this year’s ePortfolio Practice and Research track focuses on innovations across general education in which students are empowered to reclaim their voices and identities as they integrate learning via ePortfolios. Sessions in this track will address hands-on, practical applications of ePortfolios based upon first-hand experience 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, the following:

  • how to use ePortfolios to help students integrate their learning experiences within a course, across a program, and across learning opportunities and life experiences, particularly innovations within and across general education that are focused on students’ integrative learning
  • the effect of using ePortfolios 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, scaffolding learning development, and program improvement, as well as ePortfolio’s role as a high-impact practice
  • professional development applications and uses, including faculty development towards 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
  • emerging ePortfolio topics, such as digital ethics, storytelling through ePortfolios in times of crisis, and equity and inclusion