Distance Learning Portfolios
Sell You and Your Online Degree
- Anywhere, Anytime

Part 1: Be Prepared. Do a Distance Learning Portfolio

Distance learners must always be ready to sell both their skills AND their online degrees. One way of doing this is by developing a career portfolio, something artists, photographers, advertising personnel, designers, and authors have used for years. Portfolios are a practical and portable means of storing, tracking and showcasing samples of your skills and abilities. Think of a portfolios as a well-designed, practiced, ready to go "elevator presentation."

Okay. Okay. But What Exactly Is a Portfolio?
A portfolio is simply a collection of materials and resources which showcase your portray your achievements, your knowledge, and your good practices.

A Portfolio Should Be Used:

• When applying for admission to a distance learning or traditional school
• When applying for internships, scholarships
• When requesting life-experience credits
• When applying for a job or promotion
• As a personal marketing tool to highlight concrete proof of your skills, accomplishments, and work history
• As a reference source when writing proposals

What Goes Into A Portfolio?
Your portfolio should include almost anything you feel is directly relevant to the goal you are seeking. Here are a few ideas:

Student Portfolios.
Student portfolios focus on a particular concept, topic or issue. They might contain:

• A cover page
• A table of contents
• A statement of student goals
• Items that represent understanding of concepts
• Items that illustrate the process of learning, including excerpts from learning logs and journals, a sample project in all stages from conception to final product, with student's commentary on decision made along the way.
• Performance items that demonstrate application of concepts and skills such as a web page or online presentation
• Self assessment

Career portfolios.
Career portfolios help you dramatically illustrate your skills, abilities and talents. They help identify, select and organize evidence of knowledge and skills that can help you make successful transitions from school to work, or to further training or education. Career portfolios might contain:

• Title page
• Table of Contents listing portfolio contents
• Personal characteristics
• Letters of reference
• Statements of philosophy
• Job-related skills
• Resume
• Full or part-time jobs
• Military service
• Organization memberships
• Examples of work
• Educational skills
• Academic transcripts
• Independent reading and study
• Travel study
• Examples of work
• Employability skills
• Career development plans
• Activities, awards and community services
• Volunteer work
• Cultural and artistic pursuits
• Hobbies and recreational pastimes
• Religious activities
• Favorite projects

What does a Portfolio Look Like?
A portfolio may be arranged in any way that presents the materials professionally and convincingly. Most often portfolios are contained in an expandable folder, a three-ring binder, a CD, or can even can be made available online.

Next page > Part 2: Doing a Portfolio. The Payoff > Page 1, 2 3