My First ePortfolio

Yesterday I put the finishing touches on my my electronic portfolio for my Education 396 independent study. During the planning stages my friend Michael (ePortfolio maven) showed me some examples from undergraduate classes at Northern Illinois University, as well as some ePortfolios linked to presentations he and his colleagues have put together. There was a great deal of diversity in the examples, but I got lots ideas of what I like to see, and cobbled together my own, facing new challenges along the way. For example, I learned to deal with portable data files (pdfs) to provide access to the many documents included in my portfolio. One problem I have yet to address is reducing the number of pixels on my photos--they take way too long to load with a dial-up connection! By far the best aspect of the portfolio is my field journal blog. I'm convinced that the web log is the perfect format for journals.

The result of all my efforts is an electronic document that includes all the necessary information, but isn't as sophisticated in appearance as I would like it to be. The Education dept. at MC is going with a vendor for student teaching portfolios beginning next year, so some of the headaches I dealt with on this project should theoretically not be issues then.

Junior 4 at Lindamood Cup

Junior 4 at Lindamood Cup
Originally uploaded by lynnikins.

I just spent about an hour browsing the 300+ photos at the Marietta Navy site I mentioned in my last entry. This is the Junior 4 boat: Abby MacKenzie (coxswain), Rilla Harry (stroke), Rachel, Caitlyn Booth, and Sam Spano. The photos are great--lots of close-ups. Check them out! I like this shot because it has the old sternwheeler, the W.P.Snyder, in the background. The girls are at the Al Urquia Regatta in Occoquan, Virginia today. Rachel rows in the Varsity 8; their first heat is at 10:44.

Tiger Navy website

Here's the link for the MHS Crew team: Tiger Navy - Marietta High School Crew - Marietta Ohio - Recommend this Site to a Friend. The site includes Some really nice photos from the Lindamood Cup.

Women's Varsity 8

Rachel
Originally uploaded by lynnikins.

This photo was taken at Saturday's meet by Jessie Huck for the Marietta Times. From the bow at left: Lauren Brannan, 2 Sam Spano, 3 Danielle Stephanik, 4 Megan Keegan, 5 Joann Stacy, 6 Rachel Stewart, 7 Lindsay Offenberger, stroke Jessica Beebe, and coxswain Maddie Etter.

MHS Women's Varsity 8 at Lindamood Cup

MHS Women's Varsity 8 at Lindamood Cup
Originally uploaded by lynnikins.

Marietta High School was victorious at the Lindamood Cup Regatta this weekend, with both the men's and women's teams placing first. Rachel's 2 boats, a junior four and the varsity 8 pictured here, won all their races. The MHS boathouse is on the right. Notice the boat being carried up the ramp to the boathouse--these boats are huge! Rachel is in seat six in the stern, third person from the coxswain.
There was a little comedy before the V8's heat as Rachel had to take an emergency potty break before the race started, riding the launch to shore and back (just getting into the launch from the shell on the middle of the river is a logistical challenge). The race was delayed about 5 minutes. The coxswain, Maddie Etter, told the rowers, We're really going to have to win, now that we look like total idiots! Of course the girls won both the heat and the final race, and we spectators down the river had no idea of the shenanigans upriver, enjoying the gorgeous sunny Spring day, waiting for the boats to come around the bend. I must say, the Marietta team looks really sharp, especially the men's V8--their power and precision is a thing to behold! Rachel and her friend Burt Lindamood were trying to explain to me how to make the boat go faster; I guess you "push harder with your feet," getting the most out of the stroke while the oar is in the water. Or something like that. MHS travels to Virginia on Friday for the next meet.