Reflection – E-Portfolio

When I was first assigned to this e-portfolio assignment, to be honest, I was not too thrilled about it. I have to admit that I found writing weekly entries a bit of a hassle, especially on a topic which I did not know much about. Being a person who is barely active in the cyberspace, the idea of keeping a blog about my learning process and my reflections on photography was also a little uneasy for me.

However, my thoughts on this assignment took a turn short after. By my fourth post, I started to take pleasure in writing the entries. I was convinced and worried that I would not have enough topic to discuss and elaborate, but I was wrong. I realized that I was more in touch with photography than I led myself to believe. Having the freedom to write any related subject that interested me definitely brought an upside. I made use of any linkage and recollection that I had on light-based media, such as photographers to which I was introduced from my previous courses, a photo exhibition I attended, a photo advertisement I saw in the metro, and essays and book I read relating to photography. The in-class lectures and interactive discussions also served as a guide and provided ideas for the entries.

On the other hand, the reflections contributed to illustrate our learning process to the instructor, as well as to facilitate the understanding of the meaning and purpose behind each of our work. By documenting our learning and organizing our thoughts, the e-portfolios allow us to see our progress in acquiring photographic techniques and in gaining knowledge in the field of light-based media. With each student discussing photographers, educational aspects and personal inputs, our blogs became a virtual space where we learn from each other and share our discoveries, knowledge and experiences on photography.

Whither a blog on the cyberspace or hard copies share with the educator and peers, I believe that the weekly journal format assignment can be beneficial to the study in many subjects, and it is suitable for students of all ages. This longitudinal assignment will not only allow students to keep track of their learning, but I believe that it will also give them a sense of accomplishment.

Contrary to my initial perception, this e-portfolio has actually become the most enjoyable assignment for me in this semester. The concept of using a blog as a form of assignment was original and innovative. Nowadays, digital literacy is considered as a required skill in our daily life. I am glad that I was giving the occasion to create a blog and having the experience of maintaining it for a short while. I believe that this assignment not only incorporates the technology aspect in education but it also offered a more interesting way of learning.