E-Portfolio Proposal

1. Why have you chosen to complete an e-portfolio?
I decided to create an e-portfolio for my ECMM 470 final project because I think it will be very beneficial as I continue to apply for jobs. By posting my portfolio online, it allows potential employers to look through my resume, letters of reference, teaching artifacts, etc at their leisure as opposed to during the actual interview. That way they have the opportunity to examine my previous work and reflections without taking away from valuable interview time. In addition, having an e-portfolio demonstrates that I am able to work with educational technology and promotes my willingness to teach using such methods. I have heard positive remarks from principals and teacher candidates about the use of e-portfolios so I am thankful that we have the opportunity to create one in this class.

2. What professional uses does and e-portfolio have for you?
I plan to use my e-portfolio primarily as a tool for the job application process. The value of creating a compilation of teaching artifacts, my philosophy of education, and my reflections about myself as an educator is a valuable process as well. It will aid in my professional growth and my understanding of myself as a future teacher. I can also see potentially using e-portfolios as a method for having students compile work that they are proud of or that correspond to a specific unit.

3. What content do you plan to include?
I plan to include the following items:
• resume
• philosophy of education
• sample unit plan (possibly) and reflections
• sample lesson plans and reflections
• description of professional competencies
• letters of reference
• possibly pictures of completed work/ classroom environment
• contact information (phone number and email address)
I might add items or change some things as I begin to actually create my e-portfolio.

4. What graphic design considerations have you taken into account for the look of your e-portfolio? (Include a drawing, sketch, or layout to show what your pages may look like.)
So I’m trying my best to pretend like I actually know what I’m doing in this class, but my fake technological knowledge doesn’t seem to extend to this question. Can I just bring you an old-school paper copy of my layout to class, Jay???

5. What concerns do you have about the process? How do you plan to address these concerns?
One fairly obvious concern I have is how to create a technologically savvy, aesthetically pleasing web page that has an efficient layout, is easy to navigate and includes some more advanced elements of web page design. I have minimal experience in creating web pages so I am a little nervous that I will not be able to make my page as nice as I am imaging. I plan to use online resources to help me figure it out as well as talking with friends who have created e-portfolios in the past or who are currently creating one to discuss problems and brainstorm ideas.