Become a Cohort Member Why Cohorts? Helping faculty and staff embed assignments that support students’ abilities to communicate effectively to real-world audiences, use visual materials appropriately, synthesize their learning across multiple courses and experiences, and use technology to accomplish their goals is a major part of the ePortfolio Project. Because curricular changes take time and require innovative thinking, the project invites “cohorts” of programs, departments, and organizations that are interested in implementing ePortfolios to work together with the support of the Office of University Writing to develop sustainable structures and share best practices. Cohorts are made up of at least two faculty or staff members in a department or program, though broader support is ideal. In any university-wide initiative, balancing available resources with the number of participants is essential to the project’s success. Cohorts help us achieve this balance. What does it mean to be a Cohort member?

Cohort members (programs/departments/student organizations) make the commitment to: • Create a plan for incorporating ePortfolios into their program/organization • Set the goal of moving toward a career/capstone ePortfolio even if they are also interested in

other types of ePortfolios or in using ePortfolios for other purposes • Attend programs and events for cohort members to receive support and share

implementation ideas across disciplines/organizations • Supply assessment data relevant to the four Student Learning Outcomes associated with the

ePortfolio Project (effective communication, critical thinking through reflection, visual literacy, and technical competency) to the Office of University Writing each year

• Share the expertise they gain and the curricular and pedagogical models they create with others in the Auburn University community

As part of this commitment, cohort members have the opportunity to:

• Join intellectual conversations about ePortfolios happening locally, regionally, and nationally • Receive curricular/organizational guidance and help with facilitating implementation • Receive feedback from other cohort members on plans, specific assignments, assessment

components, and other issues related to ePortfolio implementation • Receive technical/pedagogical support from the ePortfolio Project • Participate in workshops, guest lectures, and other programs designed for the cohort • Receive first priority in grant opportunities, including funding for research and conferences

connected to ePortfolios • Ask for additional support mechanisms they find necessary to be developed • Contribute to the discussions that shape the ePortfolio Project

Page 2  

     

 

Updated by Lesley Bartlett September 15, 2014

 

Office of University Writing 3436 RBD Library

334-844-7475 Auburn University

www.auburn.edu/ePortfolios

   

 

 

 

Who is eligible to become a Cohort member? Any department, track or program within a department, interdisciplinary program, co-curricular unit, or student organization is eligible to become a part of the Cohort. Those who apply do not already have to be doing ePortfolios and may use joining the cohort as an opportunity to plan curriculum changes, pilot new assignments or courses, or develop assessment processes and criteria. Likewise, those who have been doing ePortfolios for some time may participate as cohort members to expand their use of ePortfolios, enlist participation from faculty in their program, add new components to existing requirements, or develop a specific research project connected to their use of ePortfolios. We welcome applications from small, exploratory groups of faculty within a program, department, college, or interdisciplinary group for those who wish to consider whether ePortfolios are appropriate for their units and work towards a proposal for adoption by their departments or programs. Applications do, however, need to include at least two faculty members who are making the commitment to work together and who have the endorsement of their appropriate supervisor(s). How are Cohort participants chosen? The Steering Committee selects cohort participants from those who have expressed a desire to participate through the application process. The Steering Committee’s primary task is to balance representation of different disciplines, colleges, and types of programs with the next needs of the ePortfolio Project and the resources available to support cohort participants. A call for cohort participants will be issued by September 15th each year with a deadline of November 15. The selection process will be completed before the end of the term so that new members can participate in the Spring Symposium and other programs and be eligible for the Grants awarded each spring. Application Procedure To indicate your interest in being considered as an ePortfolio Project cohort member, send a Word document with the following items to ePortfolios@auburn.edu:

• Application form/Cover page (attached) • Brief description of the discussions you have had within your program or unit about joining the

ePortfolio Project cohort. What is the level of consensus for participating in the project? What concerns were identified and how do you anticipate addressing those concerns?

• Brief description of what you have already done, if anything, with paper or electronic portfolios • Narrative explaining how participating in the ePortfolio Project fits with the existing goals for your

program or unit (i.e. what you expect to get from participating in the cohort) • Outline of the work you anticipate needing to do in the first year and the support you expect you

will need to accomplish your goals. • Total application not to exceed 8 double-spaced pages in 12-point font

Page 3  

     

 

Updated by Lesley Bartlett September 15, 2014

 

Office of University Writing 3436 RBD Library

334-844-7475 Auburn University

www.auburn.edu/ePortfolios

   

 

 

 

Auburn University ePortfolio Cohort Application Form/Cover Page

Call for Applications: September 15 Application Deadline: November 15

Notification to applicants: December 1

Program or unit applying:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Key supporters from your program or unit who will be involved (faculty, staff, advisors, student leaders, etc.).

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Department/College:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Name and office phone for primary contact:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Email address:

_____________________________________________________________________________

Department Head (or Supervisor/Advisor) approval:

_____________________________________ ________________________________

Printed Name Signature