ePortfolios for Employability
- 1. ePortfolios for EmployabilityTechnology Careers ProgramGeetha NehemiaFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 2. Goals of Technology CareersLearn Industry expectations of technical communication and collaborationImprove technology skillsPerform and learn independentlyAnalyze and reflect upon experiencesProvide a competitive edge in job-seekingFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 3. Goals of the ePortfolioCareer Planning/AwarenessIncrease writing skillsReflection and Lifelong Learning Centralized repository Unique, individualized portfolio to display strengths, talents and skillsFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 4. InceptionReceived a Perkins IV grant to prepare S.T.E.M. students for the workforce Local employers responded that STEM students needed to strengthen written and oral communication skillsFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 5. ImplementationCivil Engineering senior students created ePortfolios in Spring 2008DrawingsIncremental approach over a two year period in eFolioWorldC.E.T. GraduateC.E.T. FreshmanFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 6. Employer InvolvementGrant includes workforce preparationOver the past 2 years Tech Careers Office offered face to face and telephone mock interviewsEmployers responded that 56% of students had good communication skills38% of employers noted that ePortfolios enhanced the resumesFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 7. Results400 students have created ePortfolios within 3 years Reflection and ongoing engagement was intermittentFaculty liaisons engaged students to update and reflect on their portfolios during contact timeIntermittent feedback from course instructors Funding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 8. ePortfolio CourseSpring 2010 Hybrid BIT ePortfolio course Students engaged in collecting, selecting, and reflecting on artifacts and life experiencesIncorporated Service Learning to obtain career experienceFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 9. Adult LearnersService Learning and reflections assist dislocated workersIndependent study to continue service learning for skill buildingUtilizing ePortfolio to showcase skills for master’s program and future employabilityGraphic DesignerFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 10. Career PlanningResearching careers - LibrariansCreating resumes – Writing Center & Placement OfficeAlumni evaluations – Alumni DirectorEmployer reviews – Alumni and contactsOral presentations to peers in classFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 11. Plans for 2010-2011Incorporating Early Childhood Education, and Business studentsOne credit course offered consecutively over 3 semesters to incorporate ePortfolios and other types of technologyPossible model for other departmentsIncorporate ePortfolios for elementary school studentsFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 12. Increase technology skillsSpatial mapping and video skills Perkins IV grant to learn GIS and collaborate with other institutions to teach our facultyIntegration in classesAbility to showcase learning with maps and video in ePortfolioFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 13. AccreditationUtilized ePortfolio for NACEP Accreditation of BCC’s concurrent enrollment programAssisted in the compilation and review of information submittedEase of use for reviewersFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 14. Questions and FeedbackHow to motivate faculty and administration to emphasize ePortfolios?How to motivate employers to embrace ePortfolios?How to engage students to continue portfolio building beyond the course?Funding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
- 15. Contact InfoWebsite: http://sunybroome.edu/custom/techcareersEfolio: http://geethanehemia.v2efolioworld.mnscu.eduEmail: nehemiag@sunybroome.eduTwitter: nehemiagFunding provided by Perkins IV Career and Technical Act
Editor's Notes
- #5: Over 28 employers surveyed and good work ethic, teamwork, communication and technology skills were of the utmost importance to prospective employeesReference Building Bridges
- #7: Note only 4/11 students submitted eportfolios in Spring 2010
- #9: Student at Friendly’s did not expand on a job that she had for over 5 years. Upon reflection she explained how much she has grown and learned from the experience.
- #10: Feedback from colleagues, BCC Alumni, previous employers, peers