What's a content page?

"Content" is just a helpful placeholder (temporary) name I use for the type of info you'll share. You'll change the title, based on your course subject or the kind of expertise you want to showcase here.

This page holds the evidence of your subject-matter knowledge and skills, your competencies related to a particular area (expertise). If you're creating the e-portfolio for our course, this page is all about our course topics and skills, and is based on the learning and materials from our course.

For this reason alone, you may have more than one "content" page to showcase your knowledge and competencies, each with a specific and meaningful name.

For example, you might have a page dedicated to your training and development knowledge, skills, and experience. Another page might be devoted to your background in strategic communication, or expertise in digital media and technology. 

So... what do I actually include here?

This is where you showcase to your target audience what you know and what you can do. This will be in the form of content you've created (e.g., infographic, instructional video, screencast, poster, etc.), a project you've been a part of, or some other form of evidence. 

Note: instead of "projects" use terms that describe the project, for example, policy development, learning design, etc. No one really wants to read someone's assignment, right?

If the purpose of your e-portfolio is more about professional development and lifelong learning, organize your content into meaningful themes and topics. Nonetheless, it's a good idea to keep a "public" audience in mind - an intelligent generalist - when you're writing or recording your thoughts or your "take" on a topic. That means minimal jargon and maximum specificity. 

Must Haves

1. Orienting content - at the top of each "content" related page and to introduce each digital artifact you share.

2. Credible content - cite, cite, cite in your digital media (e.g., infographics, blogs). Best Practices for Citing Sources in a Digital Assignment from Seneca College has great tips and guidance in both the General and Specific Recommendations sections. 

3. Specific naming - change the name of this page from Content to a specific term. Keep your audience in mind and use plain language.

What to keep in mind.

• A powerful and effective way to introduce important content is with a STAR statement, especially if you're sharing a project (e.g., in a PDF or other form). You'll find guidance on STAR statements in my article, Are you career ready?.

• Whatever you share, be sure to orient your visitor (audience) to the content. Tell them what you're showing them - don't make them guess or have to figure it out.

• Avoid using language related to online learning (e.g., "In the Week 7 forum discussion, I shared..."). Keep your audience in mind.

• Demonstrate your "take" on specific content - for example from a course you took. 

• Vary the content - starting with performance aids like infographics or screencasts you've created.

• Combine meaningful images with words. And design the information with your audience in mind!

• Highlight your career competencies. You can get some ideas from my article, Are you career ready?

• For all content - images, text, video, etc. follow these tips to design your information with the audience in mind!