Beyond 21st century resume: free tuition for exceptional ePortfolio

In 2012 ePortfolios are the name of the game for all SLCC students, whether they like it or not, but some students will earn extra payoff for their efforts.

Each semester, four students who create exceptional ePortfolios are awarded a waiver that covers one semester’s full tuition.  The General Education ePortfolio Tuition Waiver for spring 2013 will be awarded in December.

“Students who generate a good ePortfolio and meet requirements are eligible for a waiver, as well as fulfilling a general education requirement,” says SLCC ePortfolio Director David Hubert.

Winning ePortfolios are selected based on exceptional performance on signature assignments, creative and effective use of multi-media and extraordinary reflection throughout.

Students are also required to include a one to two-page essay on their experience creating their ePortfolio.

Students seeking the spring 2013 tuition waiver must submit their application by December 14

Salt Lake Community College introduced ePortfolio in several classes in 2005.  By the summer of 2010, an ePortfolio became a course requirement for all General Education courses.

SLCC’s ePortfolio is a digital collection of materials and reflections that document student learning.  Every General Education course requires one or two signature assignments to be added to the student’s ePortfolio, along with a reflective writing piece.

It is a SLCC course-level requirement to have an ePortfolio, although instructors are not required to teach students how to create it.

“I didn’t have [an ePortfolio] for a class and it dropped my grade a whole letter,” says SLCC student Stevie Omer.

SLCC has a trained staff to assist students in creating their ePortfolio

The ePortfolio Support Lab is located in the basement of the Markosian Library at Taylorsville Redwood Campus.

ePortfolio Coordinator Kati Lewis is available to help individuals, or groups of students.  Free workshops are offered throughout the semester.

SLCC is one of 22 colleges and universities around the country that are participating in a three-year study of ePortfolio implementation.

This study is funded by the Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education. SLCC is on the leading edge of a broad national movement in higher education.

“Currently about half of all colleges and universities are using some kind of ePortfolio. We were the first to do so in Utah,” says Hubert.

SLCC began by modeling Clemson University’s ePortfolio guidelines 

At Clemson it has been a graduation requirement for all students since 2006.

Beginning with the graduating class of 2015, Westminster College made it a graduation requirement for all students to complete a similar ePortfolio.  Westminister uses a different platform, but has worked out an agreement for SLCC transfers.

Research at colleges and universities show that ePorfolios promote student learning, engagement and retention.

“As a student it is one more thing to do, but as a mom, staff member and adult I see the benefits.  I think it’s a great tool,” says Sherrie Curtis, Secretary of Student Services.