The ePortfolio is typically met with a collective groan from Salt Lake Community College students, but ePortfolio coordinator Kati Lewis wants to change that.
Although every SLCC student is required to have an ePortfolio, there seems to be some animosity toward creating and using ePortfolios.
There are a variety of opinions as to why ePortfolios are unpopular: they are time-consuming and difficult, they are not applicable to their specific profession and aren’t useful, they are a waste of study time, employers may look at them as only showcasing strengths and hiding weaknesses, and more.
Why ePortfolios matter
When used effectively, Lewis believes ePortfolios can allow students to create a learning space that is not possible in any other format.
“It allows students to communicate in all of the different ways that humans communicate,” Lewis says.
Lewis argues that paper portfolios and written assignments can’t fully utilize different types of communication methods: textual, visual, spatial, oral and gestural.
“The ePortfolio provides anyone with the space to communicate in all of the ways that we communicate,” Lewis adds.
Making connections, one assignment at a time
Lewis says ePortfolios give students the capability to reflect continuously on their work throughout each semester in all classes rather than just reflecting at the end of the semester. ePortfolios allow students to literally connect their learning.
As students progress in school, they can use the digital platform to find relevant links between assignments.
“[An ePortfolio] allows students … to connect their learning, and understand … how that technology can help them make those connections in ways that they might not [have been able to],” Lewis says.
Benefits of the ePortfolio
There are many uses for a well-constructed ePortfolio that extend beyond the classroom.
With summer just around the corner many new jobs will be opening. Students with ePortfolios can use them to showcase what they are capable of in online resumes. Employers may also consider applicants who went the extra mile with their portfolio.
If students work hard and put some thought into their ePortfolios, the long-term pros can outweigh the short-term cons.
Statistically speaking, only those who feel strongly about this one way or the other are going to comment here.
I think it would be useful to hear more employer feedback from our ePortfolio People.
Practically speaking, I think it’s better to have one than not to have one. In fact, an ePortfolio link can actually save time when you think in terms of copy and paste. But, if it’s actually too much effort, then it will teach you to be more efficient.
ePortfolios require time, sure, even a little effort when it’s most inconvenient, but like all potentially wonderful things left undone, it’s only a “colossal waste” if one chooses to do nothing with it.
If you build it like its going to mean something, it will. That in itself might make it worthwhile.
Building my ePortfolio taught me a lot about how to make a web page. I used to just write blog posts; I didn’t know how to structure pages, place hyperlinks, or include media.
I completely disagree with this article in the strongest possible terms. The ePortfolio is the one drawback to attending SLCC.
I am in the process of changing careers but in my previous life I was a software design manager and was responsible for a team of 20 other designers. One of my duties included interviewing candidates for positions and deciding which to hire. 2 years ago I reviewed a resume that included a link to an ePortfolio from SLCC. I looked it over and was puzzled as to why any potential candidate thought a potential employer would want to know their personal thoughts about the English 1010 class they had. This person was not hired, to me it showed that they were not ready for the professional world.
If a representative from SLCC would like to contact me I would be more than happy to provide additional details that substantiate this story including the employer’s name (big name in the industry) and contact information for their H.R. department to confirm my employment in the position I indicated.
The ePortfolio is not just a waste of time, it may actually be enough to keep you from your desired job if you are foolish enough to think your prospective employer would care.
Polly, are you ok? Did you have a rough spring semester? I’m a woman that balances work, school and kids full time. The ePortfolio is not that big of a time drainer. If you are letting a few uploads of signature assignments and reflection paragraphs affect your life so bad that you have to bash someone’s article advocating the helpfulness of the profile then you are the problem.
I like the ePortfolio. Did hell just freeze over? No.. everyone seems fine. I see it as my own personal academic website and in an internet based world that is valuable. So there. I said it. I like the ePortfolio, Polly. So just relax and enjoy summer.
I liked creating my eportfolio 5 years ago. I made it on weebly. I link to it on my resume’, but it took me 5 hours to create and put together. It actually ended up costing me a doctor because I forgot that I had an appointment with her while I got caught up in working on it. She fired me as a patient.
Anyway, I see why people do not like the eportfolio. I do not find it terribly useful, even though I use it myself. I don’t think it has helped me land any jobs, and I don’t think colleges will ever use them to determine if you are a good applicant.
It just seems kind of pointless to me.
The ePortfolio may have value for students that complete all their coursework at SLCC, but for those of us who have transferred a significant number of credits from other institutions, the primary adjective describing our ePortfolios is: lame. For example, I will have only taken 6 classes at SLCC when I earn my degree here, and only 1 of 4 classes thus far has required any participation on the ePortfolio. In two other classes my work was so highly personal I most certainly would not post that material on such a public venue. Such a limited ePortfolio is not a valid way to raise my esteem in the eyes of prospective employers or clients.
This article did nothing to convince me that the time and frustration e-portfolio requires is worth it. When I look back at my work, I do so on files I’ve saved on a cloud, and I have a back up on memory stick thingie. Students are insanely busy. I know MANY who are single parents, work full time AND go to school, and you want to add one more requirement? I have zero intention of ever sharing my portfolio with anyone. Ever. It is a colossal waste of time and for those of us who have exceptionally busy lives, it is also an infuriating waste of time. I say get rid of it. If student want to do it on their own, that’s fine, but to have it be a requirement is ridiculous. I have yet to meet a student or a professor, who values it. Sorry but the only person who seems to think it’s a good idea is you. Down with eportfolio!!!
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