The first step is selecting the platform used to build your ePortfolio. Web-design platforms such as Google Sites and Wix good options. Both of these platforms are supported by the ePortfolio studio here on campus.

When selecting a platform consider

• How much freedom do you want with design?

• How much time can you commit to the portfolio?

• Is this the portfolio you are going to carry on to your final honors ePortfolio?

Text is the first of three elements we will cover adding to your ePortfolio. 

Text allows you to

• Describe artifacts & experiences

• Reflect on artifacts & expereinces and growth from them

• Provide context about yourself in a professional manner

When adding text consider

• The font used

• The size of text

• Spacing and orientation of text

Keep these details consitent for a professional looking site

Research confirms it! The use of images in ePortofolio construction helps students develop their professional identity and sense of self.

"As students look to their future selves through the lens of pre-professionals, they are more likely to visualize themselves as competent in a range of skills." (Munday, 2017)

Read more on this here

Any images you use on your ePortfolio must be used with permission. If you use photos found online, they must be free use or lisensed for use.

As an IU student you have access to free images from Adobe Stock.

Other sources of liscened or free images include:

• Media from WIX

• Free use images collections

• Personal photos/images

The last element we'll cover is hyperlinks.

Hyperlinks allow you to

• Link to referenced material or content

• Add navigability to your ePortfolio

There are two types of hyperlinks:

• 1. Internal Navigation Hyperlinks

     •  Link to pages within the ePortfolio

     • Provides navigation to ePortfolio

     • Allows for link to sections when referencing to connect areas of internal redundancy in your ePortfolio

  2. External Navigation Hyperlinks

     • Link to webpages outside of ePortfolio

     • Connect references ideas, programs, external resources, and other content of webpages

1. Create a Wix account

2. Select a template

3. Add one piece of text and edit one piece of text

4. Add one image and change one image

5. Add one internal text hyperlink 

6. Add one external image hyperlink

7. Rename a page, delete a page, and duplicate a page

BONUS: Change the color scheme of your Wix template

BONUS: Duplicate a section of your site and edit it

1. Log into Google Sites

2. Select a template

3. Add one piece of text and edit one piece of text

4. Add one image and change one image

5. Add one internal text hyperlink

6. Add one external image hyperlink

BONUS: Change the color scheme or theme of your template

BONUS: Try embedding a document from your drive

BONUS: Try embedding a Youtube video

Contextualizing moments are instances of text, images, hyperlinks, or pull-out quotes that provide context within your ePortfolio. These instance of context can help create a sense of cohesiveness within the ePortoflio and can help tell a story within your portfolio. An ePortfolio with an throughline story of your journey, goals, and passion are the basis of a truly great ePortoflio

These are design elements that modify text placement and organization to enhance readability and engagement of your ePortfolio. No one wants to read a wall of text, so try breaking it up. A general rule of thumb is no more than 9 lines in a paragraph. Other paragraph principles include varying the length of paragraphs, including different text placements, and avoiding dense and repetive writing.