E-Portfolio Cover Letter

Deidra Darst

12/11/07

 Throughout the fall semester of 2007 I have completed the Communication Disorders 315 course.  Evidence of my work has been maintained on this weblog.  By completing the course assignments I successfully completed the learner outcomes outlined in the course syllables.  I will attempt to answer the question, “What knowledge and skills have I acquired as a result of participating in this course?”  This semester’s assignments and projects have produced conceptual and technical developments within my academic knowledge base. 

Learner Outcomes:  Conceptual (C)

1.  …acquire knowledge of the various conceptions of literacy in the 21st century.

Completion of this course has led me to acquire knowledge of the various conceptions of literacy in the 21st century.  August 20, 2007 I wrote “reading, writing, and engaging in meaningful communications with others improves my literacy skills” (class prompt, 20 August).  The first week of class introduced me to the various types of literacy:  photo-visual skills, reproduction skills, branching skills, information skills and socio-emotional skills (Amichai-Hamburger & Eshet-Alkali, 2004).  “The knowledge obtained from this course, either through the course material or technological knowledge gained, will aid in molding me into a more competent, and literate, citizen” (week one).  Through numerous articles I have been introduced to, studied, and learned about the many conceptions of literacy in the 21st century.  Technological advances have led to a broadened definition of literacy in today’s world. 

2.  …acquire knowledge of what constitutes acceptable sources and resources within a profession and in the 21st century.

I completed an I-Search Paper about facilitating reading literacy skills in bilingual first graders.  Through this process I learned how to find credible, reliable, and valid sources of information.  It is important utilize credible sources, especially within one’s professional endeavors.  During week 7 Mrs. McComas required the class to evaluate the website betterdogfood.com.  This site, while appearing user-friendly, interesting, and legitimate, is not a credible source.  “I did not find the information to be very valuable.  I could not even determine what the site was really about!  The site is lacking in informative content, is disorganized and very confusing” (week 7).  To quote the well-known cliche “you can’t judge a book by its cover.”  Information cannot be judged based soley on appearances.  The sources must be credible, information must be complete and accurate, and reliable. 

3. …acquire knowledge of the professional issues relating to literacy within the ASHA Scope of Practice.

As a future speech-language pathologist I must understand issues relating to literacy within the American Speech-Language and Hearing Association’s Scope of Practice.  As the field of speech-language pathology grows to include such issues as swallowing, language, speech, fluency, hearing, and voice, literacy has been added to the repetoire of the practicing clinical professional.  “Issues of literacy are just one facet of the speech-language pathologist’s expanding scope of practice” (week 9). 

4.  …acquire knowledge of the forms of inquiry associated with evidence based practice.

Evidence based practice has been defined by a joint committee of the American Speech-Language Hearing Association as “an approach in which current, high-quality research evidence is integrated with practitioner expertise and client preferences and values into the process of making clinical decisions”  (ASHA Position Statement, 2005).  In order to effectively implement a strategy of evidence based practice, one must consult and study research findings.  Only by studying available information collected by other professionals and experts can one truly learn from other’s actions and studies.  With clinical experience also comes clinical expertise.  Finally, speech-language pathologists must take into consideration the values of the client in order to provide exemplory services to patrons.  The course assignments in this class have encouraged me to search for and interpret research materials made available to me. 

While learning the aforementioned concepts of literacy I have also improved specific technical skills. 

Learner Outcomes:  Technical (T)

1.  …prepare for and participate in class discussions and activities.

I have participated in face-to-face conversations as well as live web-chats this semester.  The first week of this semester our CD 315 class engaged in a face-to-face discussion regarding our thoughts and concerns about literacy.  During week 7 the entire class met via a virtual meeting.  We interviewed Katie McComas, a speech-language pathologist in Lexington, KY (and also the daughter of our professor, Mrs. McComas!).  “The virtual class meeting this week was a great experience.  I enjoyed being able to connect with my classmates, professor and guest speaker from the comfort of my home.  It was a very convenient way to have a class meeting” (week 7).  A week 8 assignment required small group discussions as well as a class discussion regarding copyright laws.  “We questioned the legality of particular actions, discussed the stringent copyright laws, and debated the reasoning behind copyright laws.  Overall, my group’s discussion was imformative, productive, and interesting” (week 8).  In order for these group interactions to be successful planning was a key component.  The first day of class required planning on Mrs. McComas’ part, organizing the course, determining her area of concentration, and facilitating our class discussion.  The virtual meetings required all participants to plan ahead.  I had to organize my thoughts and utilize time wisely. 

2.  …develop strategies for effectively planning and completing independent work (meeting both the letter and spirit of the work, not just the letter of work) in a timely manner.

Most of the course assignments required me to work independently in order to produce a final product.  In each weekly memo I stated my plans and intentions to create exemplory work in a timely manner.  “ My personal goals in regard to CD 315 this week were to convey the knowledge I gained by completing the weekly assignments with thoughtful consideration.   And, as always, I wanted to complete my assignments before the due date” (week 8).  While my goal is always to achieve the best grade possible, I also strive to complete projects to the best of my abilities.  This requires strategic planning, contemplation about the given assignment, and effectivetime management skills.   

3. …use practical thinking (solve problems and make decisions), critical thinking (analysis and evaluation), and creative thinking (imagining and creating) to complete an inquiry project focused on a disciplinary issue relating to literacy.

     a.  Question:  Students will formulate researchable and practical questions.

     b.  Collection:  Students will gather informaiton and resources relevant to their question.

     c.  Selection:  Students will critically analyze and evaluate information and resouces for validity.

     d.  Reflection:  Students will reflect on appropriate resources.

     e.  Connection:  Students will make connections between resources (text-to-text).

     f.  Publication:  Students will publish the results of their research in a multimedia form.

The outline above describes the measures taken to complete my I-Search Paper and Microsoft Movie Maker presentation.  In week 9 I began utilizing my problem solving skills to make decisions about my research topic.  I had to consider what I found interesting, important, and pertinent to the field of speech-language pathology.  During the formulation of my question I had to formulate “researchable and practical questions.”  This process led me to my foundation and essential questions that can be found within my I-Search Paper.  I then set out to gather credible sources in which to reference my research.  I then analyzed and evaluated the sources that I collected.  Through this process I verified the validity of my sources and reflected upon them.  This process allowed me to make connections amongst all of my resources to find similarities and differences.  I publish my I-Search Paper on my weblog, and then created a multimedia presentation to showcase my work on a visual and audible format.  The Movie Maker project, which can be accessed through my weblog, required imagination and creativity.  I had to visualize a presentation of my project and make it a reality. 

4. …demonstrate enhanced communication skills and strategies, using the discourse of the discipline, in both oral and written formats.

 The first class meeting I wrote about the importance of intentional communication in improving my literacy skills.  Now that I have a broader definition of the term “literacy” I understand the wide array of modes of communication and interaction.  During week 2 I wrote “I was surprised to learn that the Internet was so small in its infancy. I cannot remember a time of a “limited Internet” in my years as a user.”  The Internet is such a great way to communicate, whether through email, RSS feeds, weblogs, wikis, or search engines.  I have communicated orally via live class meetings, through narration of my Movie Maker presentation, and through interactions with classmates.  Written work is readily present here on my weblog. 

5. …participate and collaborate, synchronously and asynchronously, in online professional communities.

Throughout the semester I registered for numerous profession email lists in order to receive information pertinent to my research project.  I had little success collaborating via online professional communities in this manner.  However, I did have great success interacting with those users of the flickr.com community.  While searching for pictures to use for my multimedia presentation I asked for permission to use pictures (all the while abiding by creative commons laws).  Many individuals were very forthright with their images, and several even offered their advice and expertise concerning my project.  I was surprised at their willingness to help a stranger; it proved to me that some people truly do wish to help others in need. 

6. …demonstrate self-confident interdependence in multiple digital spaces and with multiple forms of media. 

The particular skill and self-confidence mentioned in this final learner outcome is one that required me to become more comfortable navigating through cyberspace.  “I have also learned that I might have to seek information on my own and that everything I will ever need to know will not necessary be spoon-fed to me in college (as I used to think!)  As a citizen it is important for me to know and understand the things going on around me” (week 11 memo).  I must be confident in my abilities to work “in multiple digital spaces and with multiple forms of media.”  When I encountered problems I was prepared to ask for assistance.  I often consulted my professor and classmates in order to overcome obstacles throughout the semester.  I believe that I have developed self-confidence in the realm of the digital world, and this is evidenced by my work presented on this weblog.