Looking at the professional portfolios this last week was an interesting exercise. It is amazing how like kitchens many of them don't age well unless they are regularly updated. I'm hopeful that during this process of portfolio creation I'm able to find pieces or components that I can take a regular interest in updating down the road. I feel like the classes during this cohort that I've done the best in are projects that I find meaning with, so I'm happy to have the portfolio to work on.
I'm excited to work on Google Sites. We have it in our district connected with Google Apps so this will be a great experience that I'll be able to translate into working with and assisting students on their sites. It also suits my need of enjoying fiddling around with new tools and troubleshooting. I did take some time to set up my portfolio skeleton last week and the Google Sites do seem like they will be very easy to work with and allow for a high level of customization.
Back to the portfolios from last week. I noticed that the best ones do seem to follow the skeleton that has been created for us from this class. I found some portfolios that had organizational systems, but none of them worked from my point of view. The key I see to the portfolio is that when faced with the front page you ought to know what you are looking for, and exactly where you are going to find it. That wasn't always the case in some portfolios that I came across. That would seem to be a pretty obvious lesson, but one that some have apparently missed.
I'm feeling pretty good after week one of the portfolio progress, we'll see how it goes down the road, but I'm optimistic, which is good.
Jason,
ReplyDeleteI agree that the first page of the portfolios we reviewed was very telling as to what was contained within. If the opening page is sloppy or doesn't link efficiently to the categories, judgments are easily passed. I think that time would be well-spent making sure the opening page is clear and attractive. If this doesn't occur, readers or reviewers may not spend the time with the content that is necessary. Not updating the portfolio is equally as bad. Think of how many times you changed the look of your blog. By doing so, the reader finds the experience to be more inviting. The first page of the portfolio is similar to the introduction of an essay. If interest is not gained early, it doesn't really matter what else is there.
I also feel that I did my best work on assignments that I thought were meaningful. The process on these assignments involved the search for answers and learning, rather than simply completing assignments. Now the trick will be to find all the assignments and make sure they fit the standards that are necessary for the portfolio. Happy hunting. :)