Arguing for Yourself in the Production of an Effective Portfolio Class, Personal, and Career Portfolios: Reasons and Methods

A student who can argue for “the self” Has a career goal in mind Develops professionally Becomes outstanding in his/her career Is a valuable community and family member

The Portfolio aids in the fashioning of the individual through the power of the written word using a variety of life artifacts As our favorite writers create characters on paper, so can our students construct their professional identities

What makes portfolio production meaningful to students at IVY Tech?

They have a career goal in mind Plan of study View to graduation Issuance into a career field “Goal Mode” helps then focus on self- discovery

They want to develop professionally Portfolio production enables them to move from a point of fear to a position of confidence It helps them construct themselves through the power of the written word They learn to argue for a sense of their own “being-ness” Their formation takes place on a deeper level

They seek to be outstanding in their career Portfolio production is a process It is well-thought-out It is highly-organized It defines stages of progress It examines sources of influence It demonstrates the power of those influences in their own decision-making process

Portfolio Production forces reflection and consideration Students take time to look at their present in terms of their past and their future They breathe in and breathe out They employ self-examination They become more focused They exhibit a more positive attitude both in class and toward their career

They develop a more professional outlook both for themselves …

…and through the matrix of people they encounter daily

Students become more valuable community and family members VALUE STANDARDS CONCERNS ENCOURAGEMENT REGARD PURPOSE THOUGHTFUL CONSIDERATE

So how do we go about it?

PORTFOLIO CONSTRUCTION METHODS Every class can benefit by portfolio production You must model the process Have clear requirements Encourage excellence Both written material and “artifacts” complement each other in the process

Create a sample portfolio List of goals Special projects Progress essays Course reflections Cover page/End page Setting and accomplishing goals

The class subject portfolio Organize ideas Set goals for the class Reflect on how goals have been met Adaptable to your own subject area

The personal portfolio Allows reflection on meaningful people and events of the past Encourages self-examination Enables students to recognize sources of strength and weakness Helps students visualize their academic and career goals

The career portfolio Allows reflection on career choices and people and events that have helped shape those choices Includes a variety of artifacts that build a professional image

Professional excellence depends on you Model the process Give your students a sense of who you are Demonstrate that portfolio production enhances learning

It’s not just busy work: it enhances their learning

The portfolio is a practical application of academic work It can be simple or elaborate It is a physical demonstration It gives clarity to the value of the class It places value on their participation in their own learning process

The portfolio is your gift to your students

Encourage them toward success