Spring 2011

Discussion:

• introduction to course and one another
• talk about reading and purposes for portfolios
• share suggestions from last Springs' students about portfolio process
• review "Advice on Completing Your MA Portfolio"
• review Outcomes Assessment form for MA portfolios

Activity:

• develop a timeline for drafting, revising, and defending portfolio

Reading:

• Chapter 1: "Understanding Professional Portfolios: An Overview"- from Smith and Haimes-Korn
• Chapter 1: "An Overview of Student Learning Portfolios"- from Zubizarreta
• "Special Writing Situations: Preparing a Portfolio and Writing Under Pressure" (PDF)

Discussion:

• memo for short interview with advisor about portfolio expectations
• readings

Activity:

• look at sample portfolios and discuss
• fill out and discuss "Questions for Self-Appraisal" pages 89-90 of the "Special Writing Situations" chapter
• brainstorm and create an outline for introductory essay

Due (bring to class and post to Blackboard):

• Advisor meeting one page memo: Make an appointment and meet with your committee advisor to discuss portfolio expectations. Write up the results of your meeting, addressing the following subjects:
  1. what purposes does the portfolio have as a capstone project for your program? In other words, what does your advisor expect the portfolio to demonstrate?
  2. what, in her/his experience makes a good portfolio and why? What kinds of issues or approaches can be problematic and why?
  3. how many and what kinds of items are generally included?
  4. any specific things the advisor is looking for (particular structure, mostly reflection, revision of exisiting materials, good design, comprehensive or careful selection of items, etc.)?
  5. anything else you learned that will help you complete a successful portfolio?

Reading:

• Chapter 2: "Creating a Portfolio Identity"- from Smith and Haimes-Korn
• Chapter 3: "Portfolio Contents, Design, and Structure"- from Smith and Haimes-Korn
• Chapter 2: "Practical Questions and Issues about Student Learning Portfolios"- from Zubizarreta
• "The 10 Commandments of Effective Portfolios"- Intercom by Kirk St. Amant

Due (post to Blackboard) (Asynchronous- complete by Sunday at 5 pm):

• Portfolio criteria one page memo: Locate the criteria for your portfolio or criteria you imagine will apply to the portfolio. Based on criteria for the type of portfolio you will develop this semester, select one item for inclusion. In your memo, discuss
  1. the context (purpose, audience, situation, environment) in which it was created
  2. which of your strengths or assets it represents
  3. how or why it fits the criteria
  4. its strengths and weaknesses
     
     
• Post a question or short reflection about the readings to the Blackboard discussion thread "Week 4"
• Respond to the questions or comments of at least two of your classmates and engage in discussion of comments made by others

Reading:

• "Portfolio Reflections"- Dalhousie University
• excerpts on getting/giving feedback from Writing with Power (PDF)

Discussion:

• short online synchronous discussion of readings and strategies for giving productive feedback through peer review

Due (post to Blackboard) (Asynchronous- complete by Tuesday at 5 pm):

• draft introductory essay

Review/Critique Sessions (Asynchronous- complete by Sunday at 5 pm):

• peer review of draft introductory essay

Reading:

• Chapter 4: "Revising for Portfolio Quality"- from Smith and Haimes-Korn
• Chapter 7: "Getting Feedback: Responding to and Revising Portfolios"- from Smith and Haimes-Korn

Discussion:

• strengths and weakness of peer feedback session from last week
• readings
• strategies for undertaking revision

Review/Critique Sessions:

• peer review of draft section introduction

Due:

• draft of one section introduction

Due (post to Blackboard by Tuesday at 5 pm):

• revised draft introductory essay OR one section introduction draft

Review/Critique Sessions (Asynchronous- complete by Sunday at 5 pm):

• peer review of revised draft introductory essay OR one section introduction draft
• respond to drafts of all group members

Due (post to Blackboard by Tuesday at 5 pm):

• revised draft introductory essay OR one section introduction draft

Review/Critique Sessions (Asynchronous- complete by Sunday at 5 pm):

• peer review of revised draft introductory essay OR one section introduction draft
• respond to drafts of all group members
  
  

Reading:

• "The CV Doctor is Back" (look at all before and after samples)- from the Chronicle of Higher Education
• "CV Advice: Advice for Writing and Marketing Your CV and Resume" from Jobseekers Advice
• "A Reader-Centered Approach to Writing Your Resume"- by Paul Anderson
• "Writing the Curriculum Vita" Advice from Purdue's OWL

• Look at sample CVs from below or find ones relevant to your interests online
• Cheryl Ball http://www.scribd.com/doc/15794870/609-Ball-CV-External-Tenure
• Kathy Gossett http://www.scribd.com/doc/19815878/kgossettcv
• Kristin Arola http://arola.kuurola.com/cv.html
• Jody Shipka http://remediatethis.com/
• Derek van Ittersum http://memoryfailure.net/cv.html
• Ryan M. Davis http://www.portlandwt.com/cv.htm
  
  
• Look at sample resumes
• Phillip Tobias http://www.philiptobias.com/resume.php
• Anna-Ruth Harner http://www.jobweb.com/Resume/sample.aspx?id=580
• Anita Job http://www.jobweb.com/Resume/sample.aspx?id=2311
• Sample Communications Resumes http://www.aroj.com/Sample-Communications-Resume

Activity:

• Discuss resumes and CVs

• Talk about basic design principles in use in CVs and Resumes

Review/Critique Sessions:

• Give/get feedback from 3 people on your resume or CV
  • Comment on content of document looking for strengths and weaknesses
  • Consider use of basic design principles in document
    

Due (bring to class AND post to Blackboard):

• draft of resume or CV

Reading:

• Chapter 5: "The Electronic Portfolio"- from Smith and Haimes-Korn
• "Developing a Web-based Portfolio" Intercom by Steven Kendus

Discussion:

• Readings

Activity:

• look at electronic portfolios and discuss differences in rhetorical considerations
• Read Word Press "From Zero to Hero" page
• Explore Blogger options
• Explore Google Sites options

Due:

• Online portfolio review one page memo: Find one example of an online portfolio you see as strong and one example of an online portfolio you see as requiring work. Make a simple list of what you see as strengths and weaknesses and discuss why. Post links to each portfolio, along with your memo to the Blackboard discussion thread about online portfolios.

Activity:

• in-class portfolio work day
• individual consultations on work-in-progress with instructor
• peer feedback on written materials as needed

Due:

• bring all portfolios materials to class to work on print and/or online portfolio

Reading:

• The CRAP Principles for design- excerpts from Robin Williams' Non-Designer's Design Book

Activity:

• Discuss The CRAP Principles for design- excerpts from Robin Williams' Non-Designer's Design Book
• Use CRAP principles to provide feedback on design choices in classmates' CVs or Resumes
• in-class portfolio work day
• individual consultations on work-in-progress with instructor
• peer feedback on written materials as needed

Due (bring to class and post to Blackboard):

• revision of resume or CV
• bring all portfolios materials to class to work on print and/or online portfolio

Activity:

• in-class portfolio work day
• individual consultations on work-in-progress with instructor
• peer feedback on written materials as needed

Due:

• bring all portfolios materials to class to work on print and/or online portfolio

Activity:

• discuss oral exam experiences
• class wrap-up
• in-class portfolio work day
• individual consultations on work-in-progress with instructor

Review/Critique Sessions:

• peer review of draft online portfolio

Due:

• draft of online portfolio

Monday, May 2nd- final day to hold non-thesis oral exam

Due by Tuesday, May 3rd at 5 pm:

• final revised print version of portfolio
• final revised online version of portfolio
• 1-2 page final class reflection memo addressing the following questions:
  • What readings, assignments, and/or activities have been most relevant to you professionally? How and why? Do you have any suggestions for how this could have been improved upon?
    
    
  • What are you happiest about with the work you have completed and why?
    
    
  • What would you have liked to have improved upon if you had more time, resources, or expertise and why?
    
    
  • What suggestions would you give me for improving this course or give to future students as they approach this course?
    
    
  • What other final comments about your experience in this course do you have?