I am grateful that the DLL professors provided a versatile list of several eportfolios to view as a guide. I was able to see what works and what doesn't work. Several thoughts went through my head as I viewed the various sites which were at differing levels of sophistication. It didn't take long to realize the true purpose of the person's site. Some sites looked like living documents that the creator was truly connected to like Erin Klien's and Sean Robinson's. Their sites looked very professional and could easily be used as their "resume" for potential employers to view. In fact, Robinson mentions his use of an eportfolio is how he got a job without enduring a lengthy, nerve raking interview. Other's looked like a site that was once created with a purpose but is no longer being utilized.
I didn't necessarily care for the aesthetics of the sites from the undergraduate students list. Many of them lacked visual appeal. The information may have been very well laid out, but I didn't have a desire to engage with their site. I also felt this way about many of the Wordpress sites, for the same reason. I didn't choose Wordpress as my platform for the portfolio because it was too bland for me. I am a VERY visual person. My interest in things is highly affected by what I see.
I really enjoyed looking through the examples on the Auburn University site. The variety of styles represented the unique individuals that created them. These looked to be sites created for their degree program and not an eportfolio that extended beyond that. The information presented on their sites detailed their learning within that given time. I'm not at all discrediting their work, just stating that it's not a living document. I thought that Parker Wade's site was super cute. It had a nice color scheme and great info shared about her journey and plans for the future.
The best part about looking through previous DLL graduates' eportfolios is seeing the myriad of ways to showcase our learning in the program. I was able to read, see, and hear the same topics I'm learning/experiencing now, in multiple ways. Looking at how they displayed their learning manifestos and PLN's really helped me expand my ideas on how I could display my own. Like snowflakes, no 2 presentations were the same.
Based on my observations of other eportfolios, the glows for the current status of my portfolio are
1. My site is easy to navigate
2. It is visually appealing.
The grows for my portfolio are
1. I need more digital variety in how I display my learning
2. I should have consistency in my background theme
3. I should create a motto or subtitle for my site
4. I need more of my own pictures to add a personal touch to the site.
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