Personal Electronic Portfolio (PEP)

A complaint sometimes heard by instructors following training classes is "well, if I don't use what I've learned here, then I lose it."  And certainly, we may have all experienced that in our training, if we haven't had something to which we immediately apply what we've discovered during the class sessions.

There are a couple of observations I've had about this during these past 15 years or so of training on this subject:

• Students tend to do better when they have some goals in mind before taking the training.  A goal for a Microsoft Word class might be to create a better looking resume or even a "branded look" for their resume, cover letter, reference sheet and related documents. (See other examples on the panel to the right.)
• Classes that incorporate a "lab" session during the training can help students immediately apply the tools and techniques being taught.  The instructor can provide immediate guidance, following the teaching session, to verify and assist the students in applying what they've learned to their goals, i.e. a concrete deliverable.

It seems to me that all workers want to be able to exude confidence when asked questions about their competence and confidence with the technology tools used by businesses and organizations from whom employment is sought.  But, short of taking a test on the various products, some may not be sure how to demonstrate their competence to HR departments and others.

Therefore, the idea of creating one's own "portfolio" of documents, spreadsheets, presentations, publications, web sites/pages, and other materials has great merit.  Workers have a number of these kinds of deliverables to produce as a part of their job search.

This idea of a "personal electronic portfolio" can also be extended to projects engaged in that might not otherwise show up in the worker's resume because their former roles didn't involve such responsibilities or experience.  This also has merit, particularly for those seeking to change their role or field in their next position and need to show experience in it.

Starting in August (2009), the Workers in Transition Technology Program class sessions will incorporate this concept of developing one's own Personal Electronic Portfolio of those things that evidence worker competence and experience with technology. 

Class sessions will be standardized on a 4 hour model with the first 3 hours or so devoted to instruction on the product (Word, Excel, Project, etc.) and the last 30 minutes to an hour devoted to applying the learning immediately to something of concrete value to participants.

PEP Examples and Resources

The panel to the right contains some ideas contributed by program participants, as well as some other resources that speak to this subject of a Personal Electronic Portfolio.

• What to build and include
• How to present it or introduce for interviews
• Collaboration portfolio examples (showing ability to work as part of a team for a deliverable)

Anyone who has additional ideas on this subject can contact the program director to have them considered and included here (with attribution).

 

Personal Electronic Portfolio

The Web and Its Use in an Organization

• Goal:
  To display understanding of web page/site planning, design, construction and management.
• Deliverable:
  Develop your own website devoted to your interests, background or experience. Incorporate elements of Web 2.0. 
  AND / OR
  Collaborate with others in a site project.
• Advantages:
  Illustration to potential employers of your capabilities with the web medium.
• Products:
  Microsoft Expression Web, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher.

Frequently-Asked Questions about Electronic Portfolios by Helen Barrett, Ph.D.

Some thinking by an educator on various aspects of portfolio building.  Examples provided by her may prompt you in your thinking.