Crafting an article for publication seemed like a daunting challenge, or at least that was my initial impression. However, collaborating with my group to critique each other's work turned out to be a rewarding and enriching experience.

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When I read the assignment instructions and understood that we would be writing an article for possible publication, I immediately went into panic mode. Although my BA is in journalism, it had been a while since I had written anything worth publishing. I didn't feel qualified to for this as I am not an expert in technology or even in education. However, through my journey in the ADL program, I have gained valuable insights and experiences. I began to reflect and further research the topic of my Innovation Plan of ePortfolios. With that in mind, I decided to focus my article on how ePortfolios can enhance blended learning in elementary education. My goal is to offer educators and students strategies and opportunities to implement ePortfolios into their blended learning programs. My hope is. that this will pave the way for students to personalize, reflect on their learning, and take their ePortfolios with them through their eduction journey and beyond the classroom.

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Along with submitting our rough drafts, we were asked to collaborate with a group to review each other's articles. At first, I wondered why we couldn’t just write our drafts and submit them. However, after going through the peer review process, I quickly realized how valuable my group’s feedback was. Their input helped me refine my ideas and improve my paper, making the final version much stronger.

To help guide our work, our group developed a set of peer assessment criteria. This ensured that we all had a clear understanding of the expectations and how our work would be evaluated. 

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Publication Rough Draft Peer Assessments

 

Peer Assessment Criteria 50 points total:

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Introduction and Thesis (5 points)

• Exceptionally clear, specific, and compelling thesis that precisely articulates the technological innovation in education

Organizational Structure (10 points)

• Masterful organization with seamless transitions between paragraphs, logical flow of ideas, and distinct introduction, body, and conclusion

Content and Development (10 points)

• Robust, sophisticated evidence and examples that comprehensively support the argument with critical analysis and deep insights

Academic Style and Voice (10 points)

• Professional, scholarly tone with consistently engaging and sophisticated writing style

Grammar and Mechanics (5 points)

• Flawless grammar, varied sentence structure, and impeccable mechanical precision

Citation and Formatting (5 points)

• Perfectly implemented citation style, impeccable bibliography, and consistent formatting

Original Contribution (5 points)

• Groundbreaking, innovative perspective that significantly advances understanding of technology in education

 

Scoring Rubric:

42-50 Points: Exceptional

35-41 Points: Proficient

28-34 Points: Developing

Below 28 Points: Needs Significant Improvement

 

My Score:

Average score: 46/50