Orientation to Portfolio Projects

The Expository Writing Program (EWP) and Freshman Interest Group (FIG) Program both use Catalyst Portfolio and Portfolio Project Builder. The information presented below on portfolios are a part of the student and instructor guides for those programs. The information will also be useful for others seeking to replicate the scaffolded portfolio approach used by EWP and the FIG program.

What is a Portfolio Project?

A portfolio project provides a starting organizational template, or instructional scaffold, for a portfolio. It includes general instructions and a series of prompts that help guide the selection of artifacts and the contents of commentary within a portfolio. A portfolio project generally contains several pages. Each page includes instructions for how to complete the various sections of the portfolio that appear on that page. As individuals add commentary and artifacts to the various sections of the project pages, they build their portfolios.

How does a Portfolio Project Work?

A portfolio projects is created by one individual, usually an instructor, and shared with others. Individuals can receive a portfolio project in two ways: it can be sent as a link or as an invitation within the portfolio tool. There are two types of projects: open and locked. Open projects allow individuals to alter the structure, titles, styles, and other elements of the portfolio. They provide a starting structure that can be adapted to suit different needs. Locked projects do not allow individuals to adapt many of the elements within the portfolio, but do provide the opportunity to share work easily between the project creator and portfolio maker.

When building a portfolio from a portfolio project, it is important to be aware of how the finished portfolio will differ from the project view. None of the general instructions or prompts will be published in the final portfolio; only the commentary and artifacts entered in response to the prompts will appear. Therefore, it is important to provide sufficient information within the commentary for the portfolio to make sense without the prompts. For instance, if an instructor asks students to respond to a particular question in one section of their portfolios, it is a good idea for the students to summarize the question in their responses, since the question will not be published with their portfolio. Individuals can use the preview feature to see how their portfolios will look when they are published.

Sample Portfolio Projects

Expository Writing Program

The portfolio project used by the Expository Writing Program provides students with guidance to help them assemble their written work from the quarter and connect it to the course outcomes. This is an open project; it provides a starting structure that the students can modify as they complete their portfolios. The project description below contains the general instructions for the portfolio; these instructions appear at the beginning of the portfolio project. The sample prompt gives students instructions for adding a paper to the portfolio and listing the outcomes that it meets. Below the prompt is a space for students to respond by adding their artifact and commentary. The response that students enter in this space will become a part of the published portfolio and the guiding prompt will disappear.
EWP Project Description
EWP Sample Prompt

Freshman Interest Groups

The portfolio project used by the FIG program guides students through the process of reflecting on their experiences at the UW. This is an open project; it provides a starting structure that the students can modify as they complete their portfolios. The first prompt provides instructions for creating the opening page of the portfolio and the second prompt contains instructions for completing a page on academics. When creating a portfolio project, individuals can choose whether to include prompts within each section of the portfolio or to provide general instructions at the top of each page. The FIG program choose the latter option. Below the prompts are empty sections where students can respond by adding their artifact and commentary. The response that students enter in this space will become a part of the published portfolio and the guiding prompt will disappear.
Prompt 1
Prompt 2