Selecting Portfolio Artifacts
It is important to limit to no more than 10 the number of artifacts in your presentation portfolio. Reviewers generally spend about 5 to 7 minutes to scan a portfolio, so too many artifacts will hurt rather than help. Quality, rather than quantity, will lead the reviewer to explore the portfolio further.
When selecting artifacts from your working portfolio, aim for variety. Avoid redundancy. For example, do not include multiple images demonstrating your PhotoShop skills or several of the same types of lesson plans. Also try to vary artifacts by type, choosing a few examples from each of the artifact categories.
Below is a list of the four types of artifacts. For more information go to the Artifacts section of this tutorial.
- Artifacts - Documents produced during the normal course work of a program or gained through life experience.
- Examples: instructional program prototypes, project storyboards, or a website design.
- Productions -Documents about events in your typical work environment.
- Examples: a QuickTime video of you teaching a lesson, or presentation at professional association displaying your mastery of tools.
- Reproductions - Documents prepared especially for your portfolio.
- Examples: personal career goal (mission) statements of beliefs about your profession, industry, projections, and career plans.
- Attestations - Documents about your work prepared by someone else.
- Examples: observations from administrators, feedback forms from instructors, or letters of appreciation from clients.
