Why ePortfolios?
An ePortfolio is a personal website that can serve many functions.
An ePortfolio can be:
- An expression of your unique educational career
- A reflection on your goals and achievements
- A demonstration of your visual and digital literacy skills
- A tool for career management
- A place to connect academic and extracurricular learning
ePortfolios can be educational tools for learning, or they can be professional tools for career advancement. The best ePortfolios are both!
A note on digital literacy: In every field, you will be expected to engage with digital tools and create digital media in some capacity - why wait until then to start learning these skills?
What is Adobe Express
You have access to the full Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, a powerful collection of digital tools and software that can elevate your creative projects. This includes premium access to Adobe Express, an online platform for content creation.
Tool highlights:
- It's free: Adobe Express has a free version, which means you'll be able to retain access to the content you create after you graduate.
- It's fast: Express can be accessed through any web browser, which means you don't need to download anything. It is also packed with quick actions to get you started.
- It's fun: from thousands of templates to integrated generative AI capabilities, there isn't much you can't do in Express.
Alternative Platforms
Feeling limited in Express? Consider creating your ePortfolio in:
- Adobe Portfolio (free for students, subscription)
- Wix (free & subscription)
- Squarespace (subscription)
- Etc.!
Note:
The DigLit team specifically supports use of Adobe tools, but ePortfolios can be created in any tool of choice, depending on your interests, creative skills, and web design experience.
Live Demo
Let's explore Express!
ePortfolio Elements
These sections are recommended as you get started
Home page - your name, a subheading, and a picture that represents you
Welcome page - introduce yourself, your major, your year in school, your hometown, and any other information you find important; also include a picture that features your face
Achievements page - include any awards, promotions, leadership opportunities, or other achievements that you've received or accomplished. These can be organized by professional, academic, and personal achievements
Goals page - add in your professional, academic, and personal goals; how do you want to grow through your time in college?
Coursework page - look back at the classes you've taken and list a couple, thinking about the skills and outcomes you've achieved through them; upload projects or assignments that you're particularly proud of
Outside the Classroom page - fill in pictures and videos you want to include & reflect on what you gained from these activities
Important Notes
- Your ePortfolio's title should be your name
- Pick a good tagline - you want to stand out
- Include clear headings and subheadings - separate content into identifiable blocks for ease of access
- Showcase your strengths - explain how the content you've included demonstrates qualities, skills, and lessons you've learned
- Be intentional - curate a professional portfolio that puts your best foot forward
- Take pride in yourself - you earned your achievements and experiences, so don't be afraid to highlight them!
- Make it personal - we outline some best practices for creating an ePortfolio, but ultimately this website speaks for you. Customize sections and content as you see fit to keep it true to you.
Resources
Sample ePortfolios
These two examples of an ePortfolio demonstrate the difference between a learning portfolio and a professional portfolio.
MSU ePortfolio Website
You can find more resources on the MSU ePortfolio website including other student examples of work, presentation slides for workshops, and eTutorials on using Adobe Express.
Adobe EdEx
Adobe's Education Exchange is an awesome resource for exploring what other educators are doing with Adobe tools in the classroom. There are also in-depth tutorials for different Adobe tools; as a student with access to the Adobe Creative Suite, this resource is free to use.
LinkedIn Learning
LinkedIn Learning is another great way to learn how to use digital tools. There are tons of courses and tutorials on all kinds of different platforms and skills, and faculty, staff, and students have free access to this resource.
Thank you!
Credits:
Created with images by Atstock Productions - "A man using laptop computer working on new project idea in the office late at night" • Looker_Studio - "The hand of a man with a light bulb And there is a gear icon in it And he is using a notebook computer. The idea of inspiration from online technology.innovation idea concept." • Firmbee - "laptop iphone workspace"