Project Share - Epsilen

by Clint Close

May 14, 2010

What is Project Share?

Project Share is...
    • the portal through which teachers and students will communicate, collaborate, and access 21st century digital content;
    • a digital platform to expand the development and delivery of high quality professional development;
    • access to online resources, online course content, academic networking, and professional learning communities;
    • extensive online interactions among teachers and students; and
    • a place for teachers and students to showcase work and accomplishments through ePortfolios.

When can I have access to Project Share?

TEA is currently working with the 20 Education Service Centers (ESCs) to begin inviting districts into the platform. Teachers will be the first participants to receive accounts. During the roll out, each teacher will receive an email notification and an invitation to participate in the Texas Tour, an online module designed to introduce first-time users to Project Share and the Epsilen platform. Students will be added in future phases, but the first year of Project Share is focused on the teacher.

Project Share will be introduced in phases. Phase I, scheduled for spring and summer of 2010, will include the following opportunities:
    1. Professional Development
        • Science, Math, English Language Arts, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
        • English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)
        • College and Career Readiness Standards (CCRS)
    2. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs)
        • Discussions, collaboration, and sharing among educators
        • Ongoing learning opportunities for professional development participants
    3. Access to a variety of repositories for use in professional development and classroom instruction
    4. Planning for ePortfolio pilot to investigate student-created portfolios of coursework and other examples of academic and extra-curricular activities
    5. Planning for ePortfolio assessment to explore new forms of evaluation of student work

Phase 2, scheduled for the 2010-11 school year, will include the following activities:
    1. Launch ePortfolio pilots
        • To showcase work representing a wide range of student capabilities
        • To explore new forms of assessment
    2. Expand digital content
        • State-owned open source instructional materials
        • Statewide licenses for instructional materials
    3. Develop and deliver online courses through the Texas Virtual School Network

How can I learn more about Project Share?

You can view TEA correspondence to districts at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/taa/comml11309.html and http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/taa/stanprog020210.html . You can also send questions to the Project Share team at projectshare@esc9.net or projectshare@tea.state.tx.us for more information.