The Rising Importance of the ePortfolioNicholas R. Smith - Auburn University, USA

Introduction

Nicholas R. Smith

PhD Candidate from Auburn University, USA

I work for Auburn University International Programs

I am an adjunct professor at Georgia Military College

Today’s Presentation

I am here to discuss an emerging trend in the United States called the ePortfolio

Schools in the United States are now requiring students to create ePortfolios before graduation, as part of their curriculum.

This trend is quickly taking hold in the United States and will continue to grow into the future.

What employers are looking for:

Academic Skills Critical Thinking Skills Personal Qualities

ReadingWritingMath

ListeningCommunication

CreativenessReasoning

Decision MakingPlanning

OrganizingProblem Solving

HonestyIntegrity

LeadershipIndependenceAdaptabilityFlexibility

The Resume

Currently, when you are looking for a job, you send a resume

It gives employers a quick way to evaluate potential applicants

However, the resume has a flaw. It actually shows very little information about the person.

What employers are looking for:

Academic Skills Critical Thinking Skills Personal Qualities

ReadingWritingMath

ListeningCommunication

CreativenessReasoning

Decision MakingPlanning

OrganizingProblem Solving

HonestyIntegrity

LeadershipIndependenceAdaptabilityFlexibility

U.S. UniversitiesBoston University

Georgetown University

Clemson University

Auburn University

Penn State University

Virginia Tech University

University of Michigan

University of Maryland

Building your ePortfolioMost of us are not website developers and we do not know how to code.

Luckily, there are a number of free sites which allow quick and easy setup, no coding required

What goes inside?

Each person’s portfolio is going to be slightly different, based on your academic field or you personal experiences.

Here are a few suggestions:

Supporting files of various formats (text, pictures, video, etc.)

Evaluations, analysis and recommendations

Evidence of General Education competencies

Writing samples (which might include several drafts to show development and improvement)

Projects prepared for class or extracurricular activities

Evidence of creativity and performance

Evidence of extracurricular activities, including examples of leadership

ePortfolio examplehttp://www.smithnr.com

Establish your competencies

Arts and Humanities Cross-cultural Awareness Mathematics

Demonstrate an understanding of the arts and humanities in historical and cultural contexts.

Demonstrate the ability to critically compare and contrast world cultures in historical and/or contemporary contexts.

Demonstrate mathematical literacy through solving problems, communicating concepts, reasoning mathematically, and applying mathematical methods.

Natural Sciences Science and Technology in Society Social Sciences

Demonstrate scientific literacy by explaining the process of scientific reasoning and applying scientific principles inside and outside of the laboratory or field setting.

Demonstrate an understanding of issues created by the complex interactions among science, technology, and society.

Demonstrate an understanding of social science methodologies in order to explain the causes and consequences of human actions.

Ethical Judgment Critical Thinking

Demonstrate an ability to identify, comprehend, and deal with ethical problems and their ramifications in a systematic, thorough, and responsible way.

Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze the quality and utility of knowledge gained throughout the undergraduate experience and apply this knowledge to a wide range of problems.

Possible other uses:

The software used to create the ePortfolio can be used in a variety of ways

personal websites, databases, blogs, educational sites, campaign sites, etc.

Dissertation databasehttp://www.smithnr.com/phd

Questions/Comments?