Frequently Asked Portfolio Questions
What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of items from your educational and professional experience that highlights your knowledge, skills, or abilities. It takes the place of a traditional resume and is often used to seek employment.
How is a digital portfolio different?
Traditionally, portfolios were paper-based products. A digital portfolio can be web-based (html pages viewed through a browser) or computer-based (CD-ROM). In addition, all of the artifacts in a digital portfolio are converted to digital form and accessed via a computer.
What is an artifact?
Artifacts are samples and materials that reflect your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments. They are collected throughout your career and during your formal education. You should also include evidence of your professional accomplishments, educational achievements, and assessments made by professionals and instructors.
How large should my portfolio be?
You should collect a large number of items accessible in your working portfolio. However, your presentation portfolio should contain about 10 items. When selecting items for your presentation portfolio, try to include a wide variety of items. Avoid redundancy!
How do I get started?
Begin the portfolio development process by planning your strategy. First identify the purpose of the portfolio, then identify the audience. This will help you collect and organize materials.
What do I use to make my digital portfolio?
First, use tools you are familiar with and have access to. You shouldn't have to learn a new, complex software package to construct your portfolio. Use tools that the target audience utilizes or expects you to know. Last, use tools that make your portfolio engaging and easy to navigate.
What types of items should I collect?
There are four categories of items for your portfolio:
- Artifacts - Documents produced during the normal course work of a program or gained through life experience. Examples: instructional program prototypes, project storyboards, or garment designs.
- Reproductions - Documents about events in your typical work environment. Examples: a QuickTime video of you teaching a lesson or a presentation at a professional association displaying your mastery of tools.
- Attestations - Documents about your work prepared by someone else. Examples: observations from administrators, feedback forms from instructors, or letters of appreciation from clients.
- Productions - Documents prepared especially for your portfolio. Examples: personal career goal (mission) statements of beliefs about your profession, industry, projections, and career plans.
What do I do with all my paper-based items?
You should digitize any hard copies of your artifacts. Use a scanner to convert pictures to digital images. Convert written material to either Adobe Acrobat (PDF) or a text file. Digitize video segments and develop and store sound files.
What is meant by "reflection"?
Self-reflection is a way you communicate your knowledge, skills, and personality in your portfolio. Self-reflection typically appears in 2 difference forms: comments on the artifacts you include in the portfolio and a statement of your career goals and objectives (sometimes called a mission statement).
How do I select items to put in my presentation portfolio?
Remember, your portfolio is a showcase for your best work. Only select your highest quality artifacts, your “WOWS". Also, select a wide variety of items and limit the items to 10. The reviewer should be able to scan the portfolio in 10 minutes or less. Your goal is to engage the reviewer and motivate her/him to want to examine the portfolio further.
