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
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