QUESTIONS 1-101.What are the purposes of portfolios in general?

2. What elements does a teaching portfolio usually contain?

3. How much information should be in a portfolio?

4. What should NOT go in a portfolio?

5. What are the benefits of having a portfolio online?

6.When should I begin creating a portfolio?

7. What are the usual steps in creating an online portfolio?

8. How do I put portfolio elements online?

9. What online tools/templates are helpful for creating online portfolios?

10. How long does it take to create an online teaching portfolio?

QUESTIONS 11-2011. What makes a portfolio look unified, coherent, and professional?

12. How can I keep my online portfolio up to date?

13. What are possible ways for potential employers to view the materials in my online portfolio?

14. What can I do to protect private information in my online portfolio?

15. Can I make an online portfolio private?

16. What are common pitfalls in creating online portfolios?

17. What style of language is appropriate in an online portfolio?

18. Do I need to buy a domain name?

19. Where can I find examples of online portfolios?

20. Where can I learn more about creating online portfolios?

1. What are the purposes of portfolios in general?

Paul Cave

Daniel Smith

Lydia Ripplinger

Katelyn Gentry

Seek out / present yourself to potential employers

Demonstrate background and qualifications

Highlight education, experience, accomplishments, and best work

Professional development

2. What elements does a teaching portfolio usually contain?

Philosophy Statement

Resume / CV

Lesson Plans

Activities

Materials

References

Teaching videos

Syllabi

Evaluations

Observations

Professional conduct plan

Statement of purpose / Cover letter

Assessments

Education

Resources

3. How much information should be in a portfolio?

A portfolio shows a selection, not a complete collection

Develop a framework

Exhibit your best work

List the best first

If needed you can make different portfolios for different purposes

4. What should NOT go in a portfolio?

Personal information

Address

Age

Marital status

Embarrassing personal photos

Social security number

Times you are at home

Life story

Phone number

Irrelevant information

5. What are the benefits of having a portfolio online?

Daniel Smith

Digital Format:

Videos

Instantly available

Communicates easily

Reach out to employers

International nature of TESOL

Demonstrates technological ability

Makes you stand out

Easy access for hiring committees

6. When should I begin creating a portfolio?

The sooner the better

Build a framework now - Fill it in as you go

Collect materials while teaching

Gather resources from colleagues

Continually collect!

7. What are the usual steps in creating an online portfolio?

1. Plan your overall goal / purpose

2. Gather materials

3. Select your best work

4. Digitize materials

5. Select a hosting site

6. Compile work online

8. How do I put portfolio elements online?

Digitize all portfolio elements

Select a hosting site (see question 9)

Follow given templates – let’s face it, most of us do TESOL not technology!

Many sites have helpful tutorials

9. What online tools/templates are helpful for creating online portfolios?

Google Sites

Wordpress

Blogspot

Wix

Weebly

Iweb

GoDaddy

Microsoft Office (Web Pages)

Youtube

Powerpoint

10. How long does it take to create an online teaching portfolio?

It depends on your technological proficiency

It depends on how much material you have

Following templates and using tutorials will speed up the process

Having your materials compiled will save time

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from someone who knows the process

11. What makes a portfolio look unified, coherent, and professional?

Decide on a style or format early and then stick to it

Use the same format for all your materials

Follow your hosting site’s professionally-created templates

12. How can I keep my online portfolio up to date?

Remember your login information – write it down

Embed Google Documents in your portfolio

Visit your online portfolio frequently

Keep files in formats that are easy to download / upload

Choose a hosting site that is easy for you to work with

13. What are possible ways for potential employers to view the materials in my online portfolio?

Copy and paste the file for immediate view

Download a PDF or Doc file

Link to Google Docs

Put a link to your online portfolio in your resume

Materials can be viewed in the following ways:

14. What can I do to protect private information in my online portfolio?

Html email form

Contact information built as an image

Text built as an image

Services.nexodyne.com

Safemail.justlikeed.net

Google Voice

Link to references’ website

15. Can I make my online portfolio private?

Yes if you use

Google sites

a blog

Dropbox

Simply send the link to those you want to be able to view the portfolio

16. What are common pitfalls in creating online portfolios?

Poor formatting (use the templates)

Too many pages

Too busy

Bad typeface selection

Culturally inappropriate information

Too many typefaces (limit yourself to one or two)

Too casual (be professional)

Glamour shots

Personal information

17. What style of language is appropriate in an online portfolio?

Professional language

Grammatically correct language

Correct spelling

Academic language

Avoid slang and non-professional abbreviations – this is not a text or Facebook

18. Do I need to buy a domain name?

No but you can if you want (ie GoDaddy – just a few dollars per year)

The benefit of a domain name is it is short and easy to remember

There are many simple and free web hosting sites

19. Where can I find examples of online portfolios?

Ben McMurry’s Blog

BYU student portfolios

Teacher Tap

Google it!

Ben McMurry’s Blog

20. Where can I learn more about creating online portfolios?

Ben McMurry’s Tutorials