Using Journaling and ePortfolios to Promote Curriculum

Integration in a Graduate-level Interdisciplinary Training Program

Rebecca Wells, M.S.W., M.P.H.

GaLEND Journaling & ePortfolios

The Georgia Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities

(GaLEND) interdisciplinary training programs brings together professionals
and future professionals, disability advocates, family members, and
people with disabilities to engage in didactic coursework and targeted
training experiences related to the care and support of children with
neurodevelopmental disabilities and their families. Because trainees come
from such diverse backgrounds, and have diverse daily demands, it is
crucial that GaLEND faculty and staff assist trainees in integrating their
GaLEND experiences into their daily lives and their personal and
professional roles. GaLEND recently adopted a program-wide emphasis on
reflection and integrative learning, choosing to use journaling and
ePortfolios to aid trainees in curriculum integration.

Background
E-Portfolios are both a product and a process (Barrett, 2011):
Helpful to assess progress, development, and competency (Penny
Light, Chen, & Ittelson, 2012).
Useful to facilitate integrated reflection (Wang, 2009).
Convenient way to showcase work, products, and experiences
Rooted in Social Constructivism and Yanceys Multiple Curricula of
Higher Education

Key Components for Success

Clearly defined learning outcomes

Faculty and Trainee Buy
Usability
Student Control

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Integration with LMS

Instructional Support
Accountability
Regular Feedback

GaLEND uses a hybrid ePortfolio as a tool to help trainees

integrate their learning, to assess trainee competency, and
to showcase trainee achievements.
Two step process:
Desire2Learn Journaling Monthly prompts, private
Piloted in 2014/2015
Edublog ePortfolio Required components, privacy
varies
Binder portfolios used in 2012-2014
In their journaling and creation of their ePortfolios,
trainees are expected to exhibit MCH Leadership
Competencies including: 1) Self-Reflection; 2) Ethics &
Professionalism; 3) Critical Thinking; and 4)
Communication. Journal prompts and ePortfolio
components also elicit trainee feedback to allow trainees
to demonstrate their competence in 5) Negotiation &
Conflict Resolution; 6) Cultural Competence; 7) FamilyCentered Care; 8) Interdisciplinary Team-Building; 9)
Communities & Systems; and 10) Policy & Advocacy.
Assessment:
Journal Reflections: Faculty/staff use rubrics to measure
trainee competency
ePortfolios: Faculty/staff provide tailored feedback
throughout the year and at end of GaLEND

Didactic Curriculum

Personal
Experiences

GaLEND Experiences

Reflection

Optimal
Learning

MCH Leadership Competencies

Self

Others

Wider
Community

MCH Knowledge Base

Self-Reflection
Ethics, Professionalism
Critical Thinking

Communication
Negotiation, conflict resolution
Cultural Competence
Family-centered care
Teaching, training
Interdisciplinary team-building

Working with Communities & Systems

Policy & Advocacy