Theory and Practice of E-Portfolio Education

Designed by Chase L. Way

To efficiently structure the self-paced learning experience and ensure instructional continuity, all tutorials are divided into a suggested series of study sessions. The modules build on one another, so learners are strongly encouraged them to complete them in the recommended sequence. If you haven't yet had the opportunity to complete Tutorial #1, please consider doing so before exploring this tutorial.

Why should my students build e-portfolios?

E-portfolios are powerful tools which allow students to develop their professional identity and job-seeking prospects. A ready-to-go portfolio is a wonderful networking tool. They also assist students in understanding how the content they learn inside of the classroom can help them in the "real world." The article assigned in Tutorial Session A, as well as the videos in Tutorial Sessions B and D (please see below) will explain the benefits of e-portfolio learning in greater detail.

At the time of this writing, we recommend Portfolium because it's free for students for life (like Facebook, Instagram, etc.). Many e-portfolio services are only available to students while they are actively enrolled at an institution, which means that they end up "losing" all their work when they graduate. Portfolium avoids that pitfall!

Tutorial Session A

Read this article on the pedagogical value of e-portfolio learning.
Visit the Portfolium website, and make yourself a free account. Familiarize yourself with what it is and reflect on how Portfolium might help your students.
- If you would like to arrange for specific privacy settings, this tutorial will show you how.
Watch the following videos to learn more about what Portfolium is, and how you use it.

Tutorial Session B

Watch this video on the benefits of portfolio learning for students.

Experiment with designing your personal Portfolium profile page: At a minimum, be sure to post these things to your profile page:
- a headshot photo [or whatever image you want to use in place of your headshot],
  - Click the circular photograph image you see on the top right-hand of your screen. It will prompt you to upload a picture.
- a profile introduction,
  - Scroll down your personal profile page and click "Add or attach project" to the section entitled "Introduction."
- click on the appropriate colorful button near the top of your profile page and then populate at least one of the following categories with at least one item (you may do more if you wish!):
  - Add a resume
  - Add a club, affiliation, or program
  - Add an athletic achievement
  - Add a publication
  - Add a professional accomplishment
  - Add a certificate
  - Add a volunteer position
Reflect on what kind of assignment you might be able to integrate into a current or future class you teach, using Portfolium.

Tutorial Session C

Experiment with uploading one document or media file (i.e. sound, video, etc.) to your Portfolium profile (or one more, if you already uploaded one yesterday).
- Click on the "Portfolio" button near the top of your personal profile page, and then click "Add new project."
Watch the following videoS to see examples of how professors and students at other schools are using Portfolium.

Tutorial Session D

Visit the Unsplash website, and make yourself a free account. Also play around with a few image searches. Unsplash is an awesome source for non-copyrighted photos, which you may wish to access in future weeks!
Watch the following lecture to deepen your knowledge of the pedagogical benefits of portfolio learning.