1. The Rising Importance of the ePortfolio
Nicholas R. Smith - Auburn University, USA

2. Introduction Nicholas R. Smith
PhD Candidate from Auburn University, USA
I work for Auburn University International Programs
I am an adjunct professor at Georgia Military College

3. Today’s Presentation
I am here to discuss an emerging trend in the United States called the ePortfolio
Schools in the United States are now requiring students to create ePortfolios before graduation, as part of their curriculum.
This trend is quickly taking hold in the United States and will continue to grow into the future.

4. What employers are looking for:
Academic Skills
Critical Thinking Skills
Personal Qualities
Reading
Writing
Math
Listening
Communication
Creativeness
Reasoning
Decision Making
Planning
Organizing
Problem Solving
Honesty
Integrity
Leadership
Independence
Adaptability
Flexibility

5. The Resume
Currently, when you are looking for a job, you send a resume
It gives employers a quick way to evaluate potential applicants
However, the resume has a flaw. It actually shows very little information about the person.

6. What employers are looking for:
Academic Skills
Critical Thinking Skills
Personal Qualities
Reading
Writing
Math
Listening
Communication
Creativeness
Reasoning
Decision Making
Planning
Organizing
Problem Solving
Honesty
Integrity
Leadership
Independence
Adaptability
Flexibility

7. The ePortfolio What is it?
an electronic collection of a person’s work, experience, and talents
Who is using it?
students, job applicants, teachers, politicians
Personal website v. ePortfolio

8. U.S. Universities Boston University Georgetown University
Clemson University
Auburn University
Penn State University
Virginia Tech University
University of Michigan
University of Maryland

9. Building your ePortfolio
Most of us are not website developers and we do not know how to code.
Luckily, there are a number of free sites which allow quick and easy setup, no coding required

10. What goes inside?
Each person’s portfolio is going to be slightly different, based on your academic field or you personal experiences.
Here are a few suggestions:
Supporting files of various formats (text, pictures, video, etc.)
Evaluations, analysis and recommendations
Evidence of General Education competencies
Writing samples (which might include several drafts to show development and improvement)
Projects prepared for class or extracurricular activities
Evidence of creativity and performance
Evidence of extracurricular activities, including examples of leadership

11. ePortfolio example

12. Establish your competencies
Arts and Humanities
Cross-cultural Awareness
Mathematics
Demonstrate an understanding of the arts and humanities in historical and cultural contexts.
Demonstrate the ability to critically compare and contrast world cultures in historical and/or contemporary contexts.
Demonstrate mathematical literacy through solving problems, communicating concepts, reasoning mathematically, and applying mathematical methods.
Natural Sciences
Science and Technology in Society
Social Sciences
Demonstrate scientific literacy by explaining the process of scientific reasoning and applying scientific principles inside and outside of the laboratory or field setting.
Demonstrate an understanding of issues created by the complex interactions among science, technology, and society.
Demonstrate an understanding of social science methodologies in order to explain the causes and consequences of human actions.
Ethical Judgment
Critical Thinking
Demonstrate an ability to identify, comprehend, and deal with ethical problems and their ramifications in a systematic, thorough, and responsible way.
Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze the quality and utility of knowledge gained throughout the undergraduate experience and apply this knowledge to a wide range of problems.

13. Possible other uses:
The software used to create the ePortfolio can be used in a variety of ways
personal websites, databases, blogs, educational sites, campaign sites, etc.

14. Dissertation database

15. Questions/Comments?