E-portfolio artifacts essentially include any personal works or accomplishments that an individual feels to be representative of themself and their goals, and are included as part of a collection to be shared digitally with peers, teachers, future employers, etc. Although finished products such as essays and multimedia presentations make up a large proportion of these artifacts, it is also important to consider process-oriented artifacts as well, and the role of peer and teacher feedback in shaping each student’s final works.
There are a number of Web 2.0 tools that can be used to enhance the development of an interactive e-portfolio. The following provide a mere glimpse into the wide range of options available, and once you have familiarized yourself with these tools, as well as those listed in the Library section, you are invited to contribute your work to the Padlet found in the Café.
Brainstorming & Reflection
The development and organization of new ideas can be a confusing task and an often-overlooked stage in the design process. Luckily there are a number of concept-mapping tools available online that can help with the initial and ongoing brainstorming stages of any project. Incorporating concept-mapping software into the classroom allows students to organize their thoughts and ideas surrounding a particular topic, and to represent them in a visually creative manner. A concept-map also provides further insight into the creation process behind a completed artifact. Mind Meister is an easy-to-use yet useful tool for creating visually appealing and well-organized concept-maps, whether for personal reference and growth or to share with others and invite collaboration.
Click here to contribute to our collaborative Mind Map about e-Portfolios, using Mind Meister.
Collaboration
Whether peer feedback is wanted in the early brainstorming phases of a particular project or in response to a completed artifact, there are a number of platforms available to facilitate this type of input. These platforms also serve as a great means for real-time collaboration throughout group projects. TUZZit serves as an online graphic organizer that incorporates virtual post-it notes, checklists, photos, videos, and more in a whiteboard format. Real-time sharing and collaboration makes this a great tool for group work and peer-review.
Click here to get your own whiteboard started on TUZZit.
Presentation
An infographic is a great tool for visually representing a particular concept or term. Whether chock-full of facts and statistics or laid out as a timeline of a particular learning process, an infographic allows you to show what you have learned and share your knowledge with others. Using Piktochart, you can create your own infographics by starting from scratch or using an existing template. Select from a gallery of graphics, fonts, images, and videos to include, or upload your own.
For links to more artifact development tools, as well as e-portfolio platforms and services, please refer to the Library section of this website. There are new and innovative Web 2.0 tools being developed constantly. Thus, in order to keep your e-portfolio up-to-date and as interactive as possible, it is important to maintain an online presence and seek out creative ways to present and share your work on a regular basis.
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