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[prytania3]

Who's used them? Liked them? Loathed them? Or what?

Please give opinions.

[i_heart_bulldogs]

Funny how I've had some experience for two questions of yours now.

I've used one as part of a job search, but as an addendum to a physical portfolio, not a replacement. No web designer I, a friend set it up. Ambivalent about using them myself.

I did interview grad students for teaching fellow positions. A teaching fellow, at my Ph.D. alma mater, is one who trains the new TAs. One fellow from the English department submitted an ePortfolio both on a CD and with a weblink. I didn't use the one on CD, since it was just a collection of .pdfs, and his website was really well designed. And I think that's the key.

The website's front page was a brief introduction and an overview of the contents. He had links to the teaching philosophy page, scanned in student evaluations, peer reviews, the works. And, each page you went to had all the links to work around to the other parts of the portfolio, so you didn't have to go "back" every time. Very nice, easy to use, and also looked great. A good choice of fonts, background color, and details. All in all, I found it quite impressive. It seemed to take more effort than putting a hard-copy portfolio together, though.

[spork]

Who's used them? Liked them? Loathed them? Or what?

Please give opinions.

If you're talking about something students are required to do, we have that, supposedly to document each student's "intellectual growth" during 4 years of college.  The system is universally hated by students because it is not user friendly, and it's one of those curricular innovations that was never integrated into the curriculum.  It's ignored by the faculty who don't teach the required freshman and senior seminars.  The driving force behind it was an administrator who no longer works here.

[prytania3]

Who's used them? Liked them? Loathed them? Or what?

Please give opinions.

If you're talking about something students are required to do, we have that, supposedly to document each student's "intellectual growth" during 4 years of college.  The system is universally hated by students because it is not user friendly, and it's one of those curricular innovations that was never integrated into the curriculum.  It's ignored by the faculty who don't teach the required freshman and senior seminars.  The driving force behind it was an administrator who no longer works here.

Yes, it's going to show intellectual growth, but it is starting in the English Department as we are the school guinea pigs. Anyway, I have training for it in January, and then I'll be using it in one class.

On another note, I never thought about using them for job applications. My how things have changed.

[i_heart_bulldogs]

My mistake. I've never heard of using portfolios for anything other than a job search. Must be a discipline difference.

[prytania3]

My mistake. I've never heard of using portfolios for anything other than a job search. Must be a discipline difference.

Well, now I'm interested in how they are used in a job search. They might come in handy in a few years. Hahaha.

[spork]

In the sense that some faculty positions -- or positions outside of academe -- might require an applicant to submit a portfolio of work (e.g., art), ePortfolio is not that.  Instead it's like telling students that they have to upload papers as proof of an integrated Writing Across the Curriculum, capstone, etc. curriculum.

[prytania3]

In the sense that some faculty positions -- or positions outside of academe -- might require an applicant to submit a portfolio of work (e.g., art), ePortfolio is not that.  Instead it's like telling students that they have to upload papers as proof of an integrated Writing Across the Curriculum, capstone, etc. curriculum.

We are not that far along, but that is certainly the *vision* for every student across the curriculum.

[spork]

That used to be the supposed purpose for a senior thesis or research project -- demonstrate all that one has learned in one package.

[maximise]

Where have you guys been?  (In the politest possible way!)

Helen Barratt started exploring the use of e-Portfolios almost 30 years ago and things have been steadily evolving ever since.  Here, in the UK, HE has been pontificating on the use of e-Portfolios for several years, but as others have hinted at they were thinking of no more than a CV or a means of documenting CPD.

However, as HE researchers are slowly breaking out of their 'silo' syndrome and beginning to publish their views to a wider audience the whole e-Portfolio movement is beginning to gain momentum.  By the end of this year all mainstream school pupils in the UK are expected to have their own e-Portfolios.

I know that eFolio of Minnesota  have been using their e-Portfolio system effectively for some 6-7 years now and have a user-base of about 120,000.  And other states like Pennsylvania and SanFrancisco are also adopting the eFolio tool.

However, my main reason for this post is that I must convince people that creating an e-Portfolio should not be a test of technical competency.  The eFolio tool for instance is very easy to organise, is fully supported and maintained and is also highly modifiable to one's own taste or style.

Please see the following links for further info:
P:  http://raytolley.v2efolioworld.mnscu.edu/
B:  http://www.efoliointheuk.blogspot.com/
W:  http://www.maximise-ict.co.uk/eFolio-01.htm

[prytania3]

Spam?

Since *everyone* is using them but us, and we are somehow stuck in the Dark Ages, I'm surprised there weren't as many replies to my post.

[kshenko]

Occasionally, I get these things from the applicants to our doctoral program.  I only look at each student's current, most representative papers or, when applicable, his/her culminating project, such as his/her thesis.  But, in general, we don't really look at them unless there is a compelling reason to do so (e.g., a student is on the borderline or being accepted vs. wait-listed).

Although these things contain waaaaaaaaaay more, I frankly couldn't care less how this student has progressed in college.  In admitting them, I only care about their ability/skills/knowledge TODAY.

ePortfolio isn't really useful in my field, but I think our Education majors must have ePortfolios in order to graduate.  I have seen them, and they're just a massive collection of all drawings, assignments, papers, lessons, etc. they have done in their Education classes. I suppose this could be useful if a school is hiring a teacher...