ePortfolio

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  The Basics

  • What is an ePortfolio?

    Think of an ePortfolio as a personal website featuring the best possible examples of your work, skills, and experiences as they relate to your fields of interest. Typically, ePortfolios have three essential components:

    • An “About Me” page introduces you to your audience and provides them with a context for your ePortfolio materials.
    • Your “Evidence of Excellence” consists of polished samples of diverse multimedia content such as written work, images, videos, and certificates.
    • Each piece of evidence is accompanied by your “Reflection” on its value as a representation of your skills and abilities.

    ePortfolios thus provide viewers with a vivid sense of who you are, what you have accomplished, and how you will build upon this expertise moving forward.

  • Why do you need an ePorfolio?

    ePortfolios allow you to store (and update) your work in one place, reflect on your experiences, and display real evidence of your skills so you stand out from other individuals. Transcripts and resumes list your coursework and experience, but an ePortfolio shows your abilities on a much deeper level. Important audiences such as future employers or graduate school admission committees see firsthand what you have learned and produced throughout your studies and career.

   
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  Getting Started

  • Identifying your audience

    Before you dive into creating an ePortfolio, determine who you hope will look at it. By considering your audience at the beginning of the process, you can tailor your content and style in ways that will appeal to viewers of your work. Ask yourself questions such as What will my readers want to know that is not found on my resume? What work, skills, and experiences will they find important? What might their ideal candidate look like? Write down your answers and keep this information in mind as you develop your ePortfolio.

    • What are your pursuits after graduation?
    • Who do you need to reach to further those goals?
    • What experiences, skills, or accomplishments would this person find valuable?
  • Gathering your work

    Keeping your target audience in mind, select projects, assignments, writing, or creative work that you are proud of and that best represent your ability to be successful in the career or academic path you have chosen. While you consider what work best highlights your interests and skills, also consider what pieces will allow you to write meaningful reflections that can communicate even more information about your growth and abilities. In addition to including a diverse range of materials that demonstrate different interests, skills, and experiences, you also should try to provide examples from various mediums: images, projects, written work, audio or video recordings, etc.

   
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  Creating Your ePortfolio Content

  • Preparing your artifacts

    Once you have selected a variety of sample materials to include in your ePortfolio, you need to revise this work so that it is the absolute best it can be.

    • Look at each sample and consider any feedback you received from professors or employers when you initially completed the work. Implement those changes that you feel will make each piece stronger.
    • Take these revised versions to trusted experts (faculty or professionals in the field) for additional advice on how you should further improve each sample for display in your ePortfolio.
  • Writing your reflections

    Each piece of work in your ePortfolio should be paired with a thoughtful reflection that demonstrates your knowledge and self-awareness. Your reflection should 

    Provide essential context or background information about the work.

    • What is the project?
    • When did I create it?
    • Why did I create it?

    Reflect on the work’s significance to you and your career.

    • What did I learn or gain from working on this project?
    • How does it apply to my career or studies?
    • How does it represent my future pursuits?

    Analyze how the work relates to other materials in your ePortfolio.

    • Was this project a building block for other works in my ePortfolio?
    • Was this work inspired by other pieces in my collection?
    • How do the works collectively represent my career or academic focus?
  • Writing your "About Me" page

    Often the first thing seen in an ePortfolio, this page is your opportunity to connect with your audience by relating who you are to your interests and goals.

    • Give viewers a sense of who you are as a professional and what you uniquely can offer, but do not include biographical information irrelevant to the work in the ePortfolio.
    • Emphasize what you want your audience to know about the person who created the work they are about to see. Provide details about you that relate directly to the work you are sharing.

   
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  Publishing Your ePortfolio

  • Choosing a platform

    After gathering the materials that showcase your experiences, you will need to choose a medium for publishing them. Investigate the pros and cons of various options, and select a platform based on your needs. Consider:

    • Storage Capacity: If you plan to upload images, videos, and other media to your ePortfolio, you may need a platform that can support larger file sizes by offering more storage.
    • User Support: If you are an experienced user of technology and online services, you may be confident navigating platforms on your own. Novice users may be more comfortable selecting less complex platforms with more user support.
    • Creativity: If you value artistic freedom in designing your site, look for a platform that allows more extensive customization.    

    There are many online platforms to select from; some of the most popular free websites include Wix, Weebly, and WordPress. All three provide user support, but some may find Wix and Weebly to be simpler and more user-friendly. Creating a chart similar to the example below can help you select the platform that best meets your needs.

    For example, if you needed a platform that is easy to use and customizable with lots of user support, Wix would probably be your best bet. 

    •  

      Wix

      Weebly

      Wordpress

      Adobe Spark

    • User Support
      √
      √
      √
      X
    • Ease of Use
      √
      √
      X
      √
    • Data Storage
      X
      √
      √
      √
    • Customization
      √
      X
      X
      √
  • Reviewing and Revising your ePortolio

    Each element in your ePortfolio should go through multiple revisions to ensure that it is error-free and that the quality of your work and effort will impress your audience.

    • Will your audience be able to navigate your ePortfolio easily?
    • Is each page distinguished with a clear, concise title?
    • Have you used headings/subheadings to break up your content in a logical way? 
    • Is your language appropriate for a professional context?

    Meticulously review every element of your ePortfolio for both content and formatting errors. Know your strengths and weaknesses: seek help when you need it.

  • Troubleshooting your ePortfolio

    Before you share your ePortfolio publicly, make sure that it is “ready for prime time.” Try to view your ePortfolio through the eyes of your audience.

    • Is context provided for all content?
    • Are your references to artifacts clear?
    • Is your content accessible to all audiences?
    • Do all links work correctly?

    Finally, have someone else look at your ePortfolio for these same elements. 

   
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  Resources

  Feedback is key to creating a successful ePortfolio. Campus resources like the KSU Writing Center and the department of Career Planning & Development are here to help you!

  • KSU Writing Center

    Schedule or visit the Writing Center for one-on-one sessions with our writing assistants to address any of your writing concerns. For more info about our services, visit our How We Help Writers page or Schedule an Appointment.

  • Department of Career Planning and Development

    Talk with a career coach about your future academic and career plans and get advice on what your audience might look for in your ePortfolio. For more information, visit the Department of Career Planning and Development Students page or Contact Us.