One of the last assignments for English 301 is creating a Web Folio, an online portfolio that presents a student’s skills, achievements, and goals. Within this task, we had the opportunity to re-examine our own journey through this course from what we have learned and what we have been given, to produce a self-containing website. I planned to construct this online portfolio in my original English 301 blog, as it already provides the opportunity to enhance this UBC blog website to something more than a reflection web page. Although the assignment may seem daunting at first, it is an incredibly rewarding experience that allows students to assess their progress throughout the course.

Assembling the Web Folio

Upon organizing the contents of the Web Folio, I first created the web pages that are needed for this task. This included Best Work, Application Package, and Resume pages while keeping the existing Home, Biography, and Blog pages. Establishing a structure first on this website made it easier to compile and organize the needed requirements for the Web Folio.

For my next step, I carefully considered the flow of my Web Folio. To achieve this, I began by creating a proposed presentation order on the Home page. In doing so, I put myself in the shoes of potential readers, anticipating the questions they might have upon opening my online portfolio. These included: “Who created this portfolio?”, “What does it contain?”, “What skills have been gained from the contents?”, and “How were the contents created?”. Using these questions as a guide, I developed a logical flow of information that is reflected in the post on my Home page and the organization of the Menu bar.

Creating the Web Folio

After establishing the organization and flow of my Web Folio, I first thought about the presentation of my readers. My main thoughts were: “Who will be reading this online portfolio?” and “How should I present it to them?” My current goals are to land a co-op opportunity in software development with no current specialization to eagerly pursue yet. So I decided my approach would be the whole Web Folio will be supporting my resume, by creating an environment where my audience can understand what type of aspiring software developer I am. My previous skills came from my architecture background, which is an entirely different industry to software, I figured to recreate this blog visually from a “Simple, Technical Writing Blog” to a more technology-based design by using pixel art of rooms or spaces, a subtle nod from what projects I used to work on in the past. This process of creating an online portfolio has taught me how to represent myself in a unique medium such as the Web Folio and connect with the intended readers.

Looking Back on the Web Folio and English 301

The Web Folio has provided an opportunity for me to present my academic accomplishments and aspirations and contemplate all the work I have undertaken during the semester in ENGL 301. Upon completion of the “Best Work” section of the Web Folio, I came to the realization that the process of drafting, reviewing, revising, and self-reflecting works did improve my skills as a writer. As we get to finish this intensive writing course, I will persist in utilizing this process for my future written works, and assignments, and for my professional career when I am given a chance to.