I am very new to this topic, so I don't even pretend that I have a clear understanding of it and I can uniquely define it. I properly read all the articles and I found a description which summarizes it nicely and is understandable to me:
"An e-portfolio is a purposeful aggregation of digital items – ideas, evidence, reflections, feedback etc, which “presents” a selected audience with evidence of a person’s learning and/or ability." (Sutherland, S. and Powell, A. (2007), Cetis SIG mailing list discussions [www.jiscmail.ac.uk/archives/cetis-portfolio.html] 9 July 2007)Right now I think that my portfolio would be for learning, as opposed to for accountability or marketing (look page 2 in Barrett H. (2005, 1): Conflicting Paradigms and Competing Purposes in Electronic Portfolio Development). There are two reasons: first, I am very satisfied with my current job. It might change, of course, over time, as I might start to look for a new job and then I might need to revise the content. Hopefully I don't need to do it, as I think that an honest reflection is your best bet always. And this is exactly my second reason, I am an honest person.
(picture of my daughter Zoe Emilie)
I am a lifelong learner, there are always some courses I am enrolled in or some fields (areas) I am interested in depth. I like learning process and the outcome has secondary importance for me. I don't like to write very much, though. What to do with that obstacle?
From the list of what an e-portfolio is, evidence is easiest for me to arrange to be presented and reviewed by others. I have lots of diplomas and certificates from all these numerous schools and courses I have graduated.
Very useful and helpful for me would be to have all my ideas in one place. I am an extremely organized person. It has always been the most important thing to have everything properly placed and categorized. e-portfolio would be such a perfect place to keep all my ideas (they constantly pop up) systematically organized and followed up.
Lastly, as I don't like to write very much, the need of constant self reflecting in the process of learning pushes me to write more and actually I have to learn that too. Practice makes perfect!
