The Story of Me: The Value & Necessity of Online Portfolios

Great Digital Portfolio Documentary & Resources
"In a world where more than a third of college admissions officers visit applicants’ social media pages and 93% of job recruiters review candidates’ social profiles before making hiring decisions, a digital presence is now essential for hopeful college admits, entry-level apprentices, and future employees alike.

A decade ago, high school students were sent home with supply lists that included a backpack, binders, notebooks, and pens. Today, it is becoming increasingly important for a high schooler to come prepared with his or her digital records of achievement, including a LinkedIn profile, a resumé, and a digital portfolio. These tools increase a student’s odds of success landing college admittance, job offers, and scholarships."

by Erica Swallow
1. I start out every portfolio process by helping students develop their understanding of themselves through an about me page(s). This can be done in so many ways from personal narratives to info-graphs, but it allows students to begin the process of ownership and exploring how they want to establish their online presence--beyond social media and gaming.

This also allows students to experiment with the chosen platform and various ways of demonstrating their process. It doesn't always have to be words. They can use pictures, graphs, videos, etc. This encourages the freedom to be creative and find the best vehicle for expression based on the intended audience and purpose.
2. Digital portfolios become the vessel to show the whole child, not just a test score. I've seen many platforms, but some can be restrictive with access. Realistically, the portfolio is for students to showcase themselves; therefore, the portfolio should ideally be created to allow them to share once they graduate. I understand having restrictions when students are young, but they should be allowed to share as they get older. Ideally, students continue to revise and add to their portfolios even after college and throughout their career, so it should be on a platform that allows for this. I'm actually not a huge fan of programs specifically created for portfolios as I find them too restrictive. My personal preference is using websites builders like Weebly or Wix. They're easy to use, can be restricted if chosen, and are very professional looking. Students become very proud of these portfolios. Like any technology, students have to be trained to use the platform. Once the portfolio platform is chosen and students have experimented with some options on how to use it, then the real fun begins. The following components are the basics of a digital portfolio:
  • Collect: The portfolios become a place for students to create knowledge rather than just consume it. They become a place for students to collect all of the artifacts of their process of development and growth. The chosen platform also allows students to explore their aesthetic preferences and organization fit for the purpose. 
  • Connect: An online presence goes beyond just their portfolio platform. College admissions offices and job recruiters increasingly check social media accounts. Encouraging students to connect and align their social media to their portfolio helps students see the scope of their online presence. This also helps them realize the need to be aware of one's online presence and how it might be perceived by others. Students then begin to use their social media productively to strengthen their portfolio. In addition to connecting social media accounts, their portfolios can even become forums for connecting like minded students and experts. It's common practice to have students interact with each other's portfolios through comments and other similar pages.
  • Reflect: ​Reflection is a crucial aspect of learning. Digital portfolios allow for various mediums of reflection, all of which can be made private or public. There are many ways, but here are a few of my favorite: podcasts, blogs, Vlogs (video blogs), narratives, embedded journals, or even scanned or pictures of hard copies of reflections. 
Ultimately, the hope is again that students will carry these portfolios throughout their schooling and career and continually adapt and add to them. We want our students to be conscious of their online presence and be deliberate about how they present themselves but also use the portfolios as a tool that enables and records growth. So, play with it. Let your students play with it. Let them experiment, and you'll be surprised what they come up with.