The Implementation of
Livetext Electronic Portfolios
in
MAT 0020
By
Lourdes M. Gonzalez
School of Natural and Social Sciences
MDC – IAC
The Grant
TITLE V
Collaborative Grant between MDC
Interamerican Campus
and
St.
Thomas University.
Electronic Portfolios Development and
Instruction
The Course
MAT 0020
College Preparatory Mathematics
Description of the course
This course integrates arithmetic and beginning
algebra.
Topics include addition, subtraction,
multiplication, and division of whole numbers,
fractions, decimals, and their applications;
percents and applications; measurement of
perimeter and area of plane figures and volumes
of solids; operations on signed numbers; solving
linear equations in one variable; operations on
polynomials;
factoring;
integer
exponents;
radicals;
graphing;
simplifying
algebraic
fractions; applications of these topics.
Competencies
http://www.mdc.edu
http://faculty.mdc.edu/lgonzal2
Why design a College Preparatory
class?
•
•
Students taking this class have weak Math
foundations and skills.
MOTIVATION is our most important goal.
The Class
•
•
•
•
MAT 0020
TR 9:50 AM – 12:30 PM
Room 3310
Additional facility for e-porfolios:
Room 3207 (Computer classroom)
The Electronic Portfolio
Structure:
General sections
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Introduction
Resume
Education and Career
Interests
The Electronic Portfolio
Math related sections



Math Assignments
Math Links
History of Mathematics
Objectives
Students will
 Learn about e-porfolios
 Learn how to use Livetext software
 Learn about history of Mathematics
and important mathematicians
 Solve Math problems and show their
work.
Infusion of E-portfolio into the
Syllabus
“E–portfolio: In this class, you will be asked to prepare an electronic portfolio (“eportfolio”). You will set up a web page or pages with information about yourself ,
your work in this class, projects, or any other related work you would like to include.
You will receive training for this purpose during the scheduled lab portion of the
class. Your performance on the e-portfolio will be counted as extra credit. That
means that it can only help you. If you have any objection to participating in
the e-portfolio project, you should drop the class by August 31.
Examinations:
Six unit exams and a mandatory comprehensive final exam will be given during the
semester.
The final exam is an exit exam. This means that you must receive a grade of 60 or
higher on this exam in order to pass the class, regardless of your overall average. If
the final exam grade is higher than any of the unit exam grades, it may substitute
the lowest grade or a missing exam grade (not both).”
and
“Grading:
Grade average =
Sum of test scores (including the Final)
7
A satisfactory completion of your e-portfolio will add 35 extra points to the sum
of your test scores.”
Steps
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Students
were trained by the grant personnel on the use
of Livetext Electronic Portfolio software.
received a template created by their instructor
worked on their own and visited the computer
Lab for additional help
interacted with their instructor as she reviewed
their work
submitted the final version of their portfolios
presented their work during a special session
received their evaluation
Reflections and Observations


MAT 0020 is a college prep class.
Students usually feel overwhelmed
by the contents of the course work
and a Final Examination that they
must pass to move forward.
The e-portfolio was included on the
syllabus as a source of extra credit
points
Reflections and Observations
(cont.)




After a slow start …
Students reacted positively and
worked hard
Felt confident in sending their work
for review
Responded effectively to suggestions
and feedback
Showed creativity by including links,
pictures, clip art.
Reflections and Observations
(cont.)
Students were able to


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Improve their organizational skills
Improve their word processing skills
Improve their web navigation skills
Use Internet searching engines
Learn how to write Math expressions and
equations in such a way that others can
read and understand them as well.
Reflections and Observations
(cont.)
Presentations
•
Students
presented
their
electronic
portfolios in a special session and
commented on
the different sections.
Discussed the specific Mathematician
whose biography or work they had
selected .
Comments
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•
The objectives of the project were satisfied.
Students used technology,
learned a new
concept, a new software, gained abilities on
collecting and
organizing information, writing
and presenting.
Students now have an electronic e–portfolio
and software that they can keep for up to four
years.
Work in Progress
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•
This is a work in progress.
Comments and suggestions are
welcomed.