Electronic Portfolio / Taskstream Information

A goal of the teacher certification program is to integrate theory and practice and to analyze and prepare creative, reflective and innovate professional educators who view themselves as agents of change, who are committed to the welfare of children, and who have the understanding, attitudes and skills necessary for effective teaching. A product of all certification students (usually completed during their capstone course [EDEL4330, EDSE4330, or EDCI4325]) is an electronic competency portfolio that includes illustrative lesson plans, a philosophy of teaching, a classroom management and discipline plan, a professional résumé and other artifacts which demonstrate the four area of educational proficiency set forth by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).

To demonstrate professional competency, teacher candidates will create an online competency portfolio by collecting, selecting, reflecting, and organizing items into a portfolio that provides evidence of growing competence as an educator. Teacher candidates will organize the portfolio around the four domains of the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities Standards. These domains are:

• Domain I: Designing instruction and assessment to promote student learning
• Domain II: Creating a positive, productive classroom environment
• Domain III: Implementing effective, responsive instruction and assessment
• Domain IV: Fulfilling professional roles and responsibilities

Teacher candidates will select and analyze items to include in the portfolio and will write statements to explain their philosophical framework and to introduce the portfolio.

The electronic portfolio is evaluated based on rubric criteria included in the directions for each requirement of the portfolio.

TaskStream© is a web-based subscription service that offers an interactive desktop featuring a suite of tools for creating, organizing, tracking, and sharing standards-based lessons, units, electronic portfolios, and web pages. Students taking education courses in the College of Education will utilize TaskStream© to produce lesson plans and electronic portfolios as well as the final portfolio.

TaskStream Information

TaskStream is a web-based subscription service that offers an interactive desktop featuring a suite of tools for creating, organizing, tracking, and sharing standards-based lessons, units, electronic portfolios, and web pages.  Students taking education courses in the College of Education will utilize TaskStream to produce lesson plans and electronic portfolios.  A final portfolio will be required to demonstrate your competencies for certification. Candidates must attend a TaskStream workshop (outside of classes) during the first semester of education coursework (usually block 1).

Subscriptions can be obtained through the TaskStream website (www.taskstream.com).You will need to use a credit card (not Discover). Subscription directions:

1. Log onto www.taskstream.com
2. Click on "Subscribe Today."
3. Choose "Create a new Taskstream account" if this is your first time to use TaskStream. (or "Renew my Taskstream account" if you have used it before but your subscription expired).
4. Choose Option 1 (credit card purchase). Click Continue.
5. Click the small button beside " I am participating in a COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY program that requires TaskStream." Click Continue.
6. On the next screen, you will select Texas; College/University; and Texas Tech University. Then click Continue.
7. On the next screen, select the Group "Students." Next select your Subscription Rate. And then fill in your General Information. You will use your social security number when asked to enter your Student ID number.
8. Just below the General Information section, you will see "Select Tool Packs (optional)". You must select the Teacher Productivity Tool Pack! (It's free.) Click "Yes." (If you don't select this, you won't be able to create lesson plans in Taskstream.)
9. Scroll down and complete the Other User Information.

10.   Click "I accept the End-User Agreement." Then click Continue. The following screens will be self-explanatory for making your payment.  

Anytime you have problems using Taskstream, call 1-800-311-5656. They have very good telephone support. Ask for “Mentoring Services” for help.