You’ve done a lot of work this semester, and I’ve been reading and responding to all of it as the semester has progressed, but now is the time to compile all your into a manageable form.  Of course, you'll need to introduce the portfolio with a formal introduction.

In order to meet the target goals in the portfolio introduction, you should:

• coherently introduce and contextualize the portfolio.  The introduction serves the rhetorical purpose of telling me how I should read this work.  You as the writer of this work have every right to expect me to read it in a certain way, and your directions will be most helpful in letting me know how.

• demonstrate the use of technology to enhance your productivity and professional practice (NETS*T Standard 5).

• explain how the course will influence your future teaching.  You will be asked to do so during screening in your junior year. If you are unable to talk quite specifically about what you learned in your pedagogy courses about teaching, chances are you will not pass screening.  This introduction provides you with a chance to practice articulating your teaching ideas and philosophy and how this course has impacted them.

• explicitly reflect on pedagogical theories.  Use specific names of learning theories or scholars that have or will influence your teaching.

• exhibit positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.

Write your formal introduction (textbook level of editing) with these purposes in mind, and check the portfolio rubric for specific details on how this part of your portfolio will be formally assessed.

Questions?  Please raise them in class so that everyone may benefit from the clarification.