Portfolio

From The Collaboratory

Portfolios are a valuable tool for documenting personal or team achievements. Within the IPC, portfolios are used to track students' progress through the various IPC objectives.

Contents 1 IPC Project I - IV Portfolio Assignment 1.1 Overall course objectives 1.2 Suggestions for preparing your portfolio 1.3 Working portfolio 1.4 Showcase portfolio 1.4.1 Showcase portfolio format 1.4.1.1 Title Page 1.4.1.2 Table of Contents 1.4.1.3 Introductory Statement 1.4.1.4 Documentation and Reflective Commentaries 1.4.1.5 Closing Summary 1.4.2 Presentation

IPC Project I - IV Portfolio Assignment

Overall course objectives

Students who successfully complete Projects 1-4 will demonstrate that they have had significant experiences in all the following areas. These experiences will be documented through the use of a portfolio, with each student preparing his/her own individual portfolio. The parenthetical items represent a non-exhaustive list of some of the specific things that we might look for in the portfolio - i.e., evidence of a worthwhile experience.

Teamwork (mentoring, communication, brainstorming, conflict resolution, leadership)

Project Management (writing and carrying out SMART goals, scheduling using Gantt charts)

Client Interface (working with a client, evaluation of needs, assessing results)

Research (gathering, organizing, and evaluating information)

Analysis/testing (analysis, testing of prototype)

Design (design process, application of engineering principles)

Economic analysis (budgeting, economic justification)

Prototype Implementation (manufacture of toleranced parts, writing software)

Documentation (engineering drawings, written reports, Wiki pages, logbooks, slide show presentations)

Dissemination (oral presentations, interaction with clients)

Suggestions for preparing your portfolio

A portfolio is a purposeful collection of student work that tells the story of the student’s efforts, progress and/or achievement in given areas. It can be used as a vehicle for demonstrating knowledge, understanding and performance, as a personal reflective tool, and as an assessment tool. We will be using portfolios in our IPC Project classes because they:

1. Are conducive for assessing experiential learning
2. Provide opportunities for reflection
3. Encourage self-analysis
4. Provide broad and in-depth portrayal of student’s thinking and behavior
5. Provide evidence of performance beyond factual knowledge
6. Provide developmental look at progress
7. Allow the student to share in the responsibility for assessment
8. Reflect life-long nature of learning

For our purposes, the portfolio will be used primarily for reflection, self-evaluation, and demonstration of accomplishments as you complete your projects.

Working portfolio

Throughout the course, you will compile a working portfolio. Anything and everything that you think is relevant to the course and its objectives should be compiled in your working portfolio. This may include assignments, team meeting notes, analysis, sketches, etc. Some useful guidelines are:

1. Use a standard three ring binder or file folder system.
2. Include everything you think might support your learning objectives.
3. Organize your portfolio around the objectives of the course (see below).
4. Review your working portfolio at least once a week.
5. Maintain a log or reflective journal as part of the portfolio.
6. Think creatively about items to include that may go beyond normal course assignments.
7. You will meet periodically with course instructors to review your portfolio or turn sections in for review by them.

Showcase portfolio

At the end of the semester you will submit a showcase portfolio that demonstrates what you have come to learn about being a productive member of a project team. The showcase portfolio, containing material drawn from your working portfolio, will exhibit only the most meaningful, significant, and relevant aspects of your work. It should be well organized, well written, and professionally presented.

Showcase portfolio format

The basic format for the completed showcase portfolio should include the following:

Title Page

Table of Contents

Introductory Statement

Documentation with Reflective Commentaries

Closing Summary

Title Page

The portfolio’s title page should include the following information: your name, name of the Group and Project, name of instructor, and the current semester and year.

Table of Contents

Prepare a separate page listing all primary items and sections in your portfolio. You may want to include divider pages for each section in accordance with your table of contents. There is no need to use page numbers.

Introductory Statement

Write a one page commentary introducing the reader to yourself and your portfolio. Discuss your personal journey up to this point in your life. Why did you choose the particular Group you’re in? Why are you interested in this project? Briefly, introduce the remainder of the portfolio contents. In other words, tell us what we’re about to see.

Documentation and Reflective Commentaries

This section is the heart of your showcase portfolio. You are to provide tangible evidence of accomplishment and progress you made toward meeting the objectives of Projects I - IV. Document any new knowledge, insights, and competencies you have obtained.

Introduce each item with a short reflective commentary which discusses:

1. What you have done: Describe and define the objective, and tell how it was accomplished.
2. What it means to me: Explain the significance to you. What does it represent in terms of an accomplishment or new understanding for you? What changes in beliefs, behavior and/or values does it represent? How did it impact you?
3. Where it leads me: What implications does this item have for you? Has it affirmed something for you? Does it lead you to any future course of action for continued growth and development? How does it impact your short or long-term future?

Closing Summary

Conclude your portfolio with a one page summary/commentary. This section should include the major highlights of what you have gained from the project. Be specific about what you have learned and how you interacted with it. Discuss what impact this experience has had upon your college and career goals.

Presentation

Each showcase portfolio will be presented in a 3-ring loose-leaf binder with section dividers. Any written materials (questions, reflections, etc.) should be word processed on 8-1/2" x 11" paper. Any photographs, artifacts, etc. should be labeled. Plastic covers on each page are not required.