Recommendations for Planning an E-Portfolio
Much of the advisement provided on this page is based on the resources and knowledge of others in addition to my own personal and professional experience with portfolios and pre-service preparation. I welcome feedback on other successful strategies or challenges found.
01
Building a Brand
The E-Portfolio is a tool for you to communicate what is important to you as an art educator. The components you choose as well as how you organize and compose it aesthetically will tell the story for you. Deciding at the beginning of this process how you wish to be seen and what you would like people to know about you will help to guide the decisions you will need to make in this process.
Tip --- Write an elevator speech about being an artist educator. If you only had just a few minutes, what would you say to a hiring manager to promote yourself that has maximum impact? Use this statement to direct your choices.
02
Constructing a Framework
Begin to make decisions about what you feel needs to be in the E-Portfolio as well as what you would simply like to include.​ Draw out an outline or mind-map of what components relate to one another. Choose headers or category topics that are easy to understand and are relevant to a hiring manager. Within these big ideas, develop subcategories of important information and what might need to be included as a file, image, statement, etc. Think of the framework as an opportunity to organize the way people will follow your brand and story of who you are.
Tip --- Give your framework with specific header and subheader names to a colleague. Are they able to easily follow the paths you are creating? What do they think the information is beginning to say about you?
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Artifacts​
Artifacts are the documentation that make up the body of the E-Portfolio. Although there are standard pieces such as a resume and teaching philosophy that should always be included, other selections may be specific to the individual. As you consider what to include, be sure of the following: images are clear and aesthetically interesting, documents have been well-edited, everything is professional, and only what is necessary and has significant impact for your brand should be included. Be thoughtful and selective.
Tip --- All textual documentation should have been given to a professor/editor for proofing. Artifacts are a great opportunity to show personality, style, and interests - just keep professionalism in mind.
Create the Aesthetic
​By this stage, much of the hard work has been done. Now you will begin to design the website. Choose a software that is user-friendly and efficient for your needs, such as wix.com or weebly.com. Remember that every decision is valuable to communicating who you are from the username and url you create to the color combinations and graphics that you choose. If you are unfamiliar with this process, be sure to watch any one of the numerous tutorials that these sites and others provide.
Tip --- If you have minimal experience, then try to utilize the templates as much as possible for color choices and layout. Always save as you work, and when finished, check the site on different systems for formatting glitches.
Put It All Together
​As you begin to build the framework of your site by adding pages and subpages, keep in mind that you may begin to see new possibilities. Allow yourself to make revisions as you go. Inevitably you will discover that some text will be required for you to create as your pages develop. When you are finished, revisit the resources page and make note of any components you may have forgotten or need to correct.
Tip --- Build and organize the website pages first. Then insert artifacts/ text where appropriate. Lastly, edit edit edit.
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An E-Portfolio is an ongoing composition of your work. It should be reflected upon and updated regularly as you evolve as an art educator and accomplish new things.
Tip --- Most teachers get evaluated at least once a year. Collect all documentation between evaluations and update your E-Portfolio for these assessments. Not only will you look impressive but you also will remain prepared with a professional package of who you are in the field of art educators.