Portfolios

Driving Questions:  What is a Talent Portfolio and why is it important?

Merriam-Webster defines a portfolio as “a selection of a student’s work…compiled over a period of time and used for assessing performance and progress.”  Portfolios are also used in the world of work as a tool to communicate your knowledge and skills to a potential employer. The process of putting together a portfolio enhances several life skills such as boosting self-esteem, decision-making, planning, organizing and marketing. -MSU

How can a portfolio be presented?

• Software (Xello, Naviance, Career Cruising, etc.)

• Virtually/on-line (Google drive, electronic portfolio, LinkedIn, website, etc.)

• Physically (3-ring binder, folder, scrapbook, flash drive, video, etc.)

What should be in a high school portfolio?

A portfolio should showcase the student's strengths, interests, individuality and hobbies. It should show how well-rounded a student is and how the student is someone beyond academic grades.-Learning Community Charter School

Learning Targets:

• Identify the key elements of a career/talent portfolio

• Create a career/talent portfolio highlighting your skills, work, interests, strengths and goals 

• Organize the elements within your portfolio

Online Resources:

• Xello - Personalized Student Portfolios in Xello-use the About Me Section. Students personalize their Xello experience by creating a shareable, online portfolio that showcases their interests, skills, and abilities. Profiles are easily updated as students gain new experiences, reflecting who they are every step of the way.

• LinkedIn - Go to “Build an Online Presence” in the 9th-12th Career Development Toolkit

• Elements of a Portfolio-jobhunt.org

• Google Sites Easy Student Portfolio

• Xello: About Me Page Overview

• Developing a Talent Portfolio (7-12): The  student  will  identify the  job-related  skills  she/he  has  developed  through  life experiences  and  begin  to  gather  evidence  to  support  the  development  of  those  skills  for her/his  talent  portfolio.

• Using Xello, LinkedIn or a 3 ring Binder, begin creating your talent portfolio/ make a list of work, accomplishments and artifacts that you could add to your portfolio.