Getting Started
Steps (Explained below):
Collect your work
Build your ePortfolio using Google - g.clemson.edu to get started
Tag your work to the General Education Competencies at http://eportfolio.clemson.edu
1. Gathering Documents - Collect your work
The first step is to collect your work (in class work, out of class experiences) and save them. You may save them on the U-Drive or to your documents folder on your laptop. Several organizational schemes are possible, such as a folder for each year (freshman, sophomore, etc.) at the first level, then a folder for each term (fall 2008, spring 2009, etc.) and finally a folder for each term’s class. You may also want to add a "personal" folder to keep information on awards, extracurricular and volunteer participation, and other items that may help you provide evidence of your best work at Clemson University. You should also make sure you have a backup of your work so you can ensure the safety of your documents should you experience a computer crash or virus.
Now is when you should begin to familiarize yourself with the General Education Competencies. You will need to have an artifact (your assignments) for each of the General Education Competencies.
2. Building your ePortfolio
You may create your ePortfolio using any web editor you wish. However, the web editor supported by the ePortfolio Program is Google Sites. Please view the "Build your GoogleSite" tutorial to assist you in creating your ePortfolio tool. You may also download a copy of the 3 Easy Steps Brochure for additional assistance.
3. TaggingYour Work
Access the ePortfolio website at http://eportfolio.clemson.edu
You will need to login using your Clemson username and ID. First-time users will need to register their accounts (screen two) and login again. This will only be done one time. Once you are logged into the server a menu bar will appear. Click on the help screen for a brief walk-through of the tagging process.
Each semester, as you complete your assignments, save your work for the appropriate term and class. If you recognize that an assignment may show evidence of a General Education competency, add that assignment to your ePortfolio and tag it (connect it) to the appropriate competency. When you are tag your work to the appropriate competency you will also be prompted to want to write a short justification (rational statement) to accompany this assignment. In your rationale statement you will describe why you have selected this document and how it demonstrates your understanding of the competency.
Don't forget to link this page to your googlesites page. Visit this site to learn how.
Assessment
Your General Education competencies will be assessed via your ePortfolio throughout your four years at Clemson. You need to begin your ePortfolio from the moment you arrive on campus your freshman year.
For Video Tutorials log in to eportfolio.clemson.edu and visit the help menu.
For Face-to-Face help visit the 1941 Studio for Student Communication in Daniel Hall
Once you have a good start on your ePortfolio (have you completed the steps above?) you might want to polish it up a bit.
Being Creative
You may wonder how you can enhance your ePortfolio with picture slide shows, videos, etc. please visit one of the ePortfolio mentors in the 1941 Studio for Student Communication for assistance on how to give your ePortfolio a bit more Pizzaz!
Reflective writings can also be included as links to short documents, but you are free to include reflection in your ePortfolio in any manner you choose. It is recommended that your reflection contain a direct link to the ePortfolio element to which it relates.
Sharing ePortfolios
When you tag an ePortfolio with a General Education competency, the ePortfolio is automatically shared with your assessment team. If you need to have your ePortfolio reviewed by others (such as your major adviser), you can select to share the ePortfolio with individuals in Clemson community (faculty, staff and students) or with external users (family or prospective employers). Be careful to eliminate sensitive personal information before you share your ePortfolio.