Week #8

             This week I have been spending lots of time working on my online ePortfolio. I have mixed feelings about my ePortfolio because of what I have heard from previous professors. In my opinion, I think having an ePortfolio is great because, for one it allows a digital copy of your actual portfolio to be saved online in a safe place. When using a print copy of your portfolio it may become lost or damaged, whereas having it online I feel is a secure place depending on the credibility of the web base site you choose to use. I also feel having two types of portfolio (print & digital) is important because if something happens to one of them, you always have another one to rely on.

            I think ePortfolios are current and up to date with the technology around us. I believe we are in a time where there is an abundance of e-mails and online exchanges taking place. Having to take a print copy of your ePortfolio to a number of future employers, which normally you only have one, is not feasible. If you apply for a number of different jobs, and they all want to see your portfolio this makes it very difficult. If a person just has a web link of their ePorfolio they need to email to a possible future employer, I feel that is very manageable. 

            I think ePortfolios are a way to show our talents and hobbies off in a way that we normally could not do with just a cover letter and resume. Our talents may be highlighted in just the construction and overall professional look of the website. If a future employer is looking for someone like this, I feel it is a great asset. It also allows us to show slideshows and pictures of our interests, hobbies, employment, lesson plans, classroom bulletin boards, etc. The options of the items to include in our ePortfolio are endless.

            Overall, I feel having an ePortfolio is very beneficial. However, I understand that employers are very busy and may not have time to thoroughly look at them. That is why I believe ePorfotlios must be concise and direct. I believe having photos and brief amounts of text will enhance the portfolio because of the time constraint of the employer. I believe having an online ePortfolio can only be an asset to myself when searching for future employment. 

If you would like to check out my online ePortfolio, just click here.