College of Architecture, Arts and Humanities

Dept. of Languages ePortfolio Guidelines

These guidelines apply to all majors in the Department of Languages (Modern Languages, L&IT, All Languages).

Introduction

Students in the Bachelor of Arts programs in Modern Languages and Language and International Trade are required, as a condition of graduation, to submit a noncredit digital electronic portfolio (ePortfolio) to document and assess their professional and personal development while at Clemson University.

The objective of the ePortfolio is to collect, evaluate and present selected material that reflects the academic and personal development while at Clemson University. We recommend utilizing Clemson's Google Docs to gather material in one place. (Go to http://docs.g.clemson.edu/ and upload files in any format.)

The ePortfolio is the starting point of the job application process, which could potentially be presented to prospective employers. Many companies require the inclusion of such a portfolio. The quality of the ePortfolio thus depends on the student's continuous engagement in collecting and evaluating appropriate material for the ePortfolio.

An item that a student produces and incorporates in the ePortfolio is called an artifact, and collection must begin during the first semester at Clemson University, regardless of major. Artifacts can include but are not limited to documents (e.g., text, html, presentations, spreadsheets), audio and video files, photos and images, as well as all multi-media projects and mixed-media. In case students do not have a digital version of their artifact they may scan documents (there are scanners in the library), create audio or video recordings, or take digital photographs. It is important to provide supporting information on all documents (e.g. date, context, relevant course, student's own evaluation, etc.). If possible, original material should be provided. Artifacts that are also applicable to the university's competency requirements must be tagged and linked to one or more general education competencies.

Students need to begin collecting material beginning their first semester at Clemson University. Evaluation, selection and assessment of the ePortfolio will then take place during the student's final year during LANG 499 Language Portfolio (2 credit hours).

Departmental ePortfolio Advisor

Dr. Kelly F. Davidson
Daniel Hall 113
(864) 656-3458
kdavids@clemson.edu
Skype virtual office: drkellyfdavidson

LANG 499: Language Portfolio

This class will provide assistance in understanding the ePortfolio process, as well as with the evaluation and selection of academic artifacts. It is intended to give structured guidance in creating ePortfolios in both the content and techonological areas. In addition to personal work time, students will meet with the Departmental ePortfolio advisor, the University ePortfolio advisor, the Career Center, and their advisors to aid in the process of creating an effective, individualized ePortfolio.

Assessment

The ePortfolio is evaluated on a pass/fail basis only. Assessment will take place during the student's final year at Clemson through LANG 499 (if the course is not required, the ePortfolio will be assessed separately). Assessment will be based on completeness of the material (addressing all categories and tagging all relevant competencies) and the demonstration of critical evaluation and selection of material for the ePortfolio. A reflective essay and a presentation are also required as part of the LANG 499 experience.

Language

Students are encouraged to use the target language as much as possible, but need to keep in mind that certain artifacts exist only in English and should not be translated (e.g., artifacts regarding extracurricular activities, general education, or internships). In general, only original artifacts should be used. Additionally, a potential employer might not be familiar with the target language. Students must always evaluate the usefulness of each artifact in terms of content, language and other factors.

Content Requirements for the ePortfolio

  1. Portfolio Welcome Page (list name, major(s), and minor)
  2. The Student's current resume and an application cover letter
    **in English AND the target language (2 resumes and 2 cover letters, total)
    **include job or graduate school objectives
  3. Documentation of course work in the student's major (address all applicable items)
    1. Years of language-oriented instruction (e.g., courses that stress grammar, vocabulary acquisition, speaking, and writing activities); conversation courses and CLIP program (if applicable); indicate any other background in the target language (e.g., exposure to the target language before coming to Clemson University, in extracurricular settings, visits abroad, internships, residing in a bilingual household, etc.)
    2. Culture and literature courses (including also film, etc.) in the target language at the university level—list course numbers and specific topics (especially if the transcript only states something like "Studies in Culture"); include courses taken at Clemson, in the U.S., and abroad (if applicable) and briefly evaluate the usefulness of each course
    3. Minor requirement: list all courses at the university level fulfilling your minor requirement; include courses taken in the U.S. and abroad (if applicable) and briefly evaluate the usefulness of each course
    4. List all other courses taken in English that you feel are applicable to your major (e.g. humanities and social science courses) and briefly evaluate the usefulness of each course
    5. List all other courses that you feel have been significant for your university education (include electives, Creative Inquiry, LANG and Cultural Inquiry courses) and briefly evaluate the usefulness of each course
    6. Double and dual majors (including previous majors and undeclared): include any relevant information that reflects personal development and academic progress outside of your Modern Language major
  4. Additional course work (AT LEAST 2 DOCUMENTS, no more than four documents, at least two must be in the target language)
    1. Research papers and essays written in the target language (you may include final papers, take-home assignments, etc.)
    2. The text or an outline of an oral presentation, PowerPoint or similar presentation, posters, reports, etc.
    3. A multimedia project, podcast, video, or other type of project using technology
    4. Information related to Creative Inquiry projects
    5. Other documents applicable to your major (e.g., any assignment written in English)
  5. Documentation of extra-curricular activities (one document for each if applicable)
    1. Undergraduate research projects or senior thesis
    2. Activities in a language club
    3. Participation in a language department play
    4. Service learning
    5. Performances, concerts, lectures, etc. you attended
  6. Study Abroad
    1. Provide a short report (1 to 1 ½ pages): include information about the specific program, its location, and the time spent abroad; reflect on your original objectives to study abroad and your actual experience (you may also add a journal or culture portfolio reflecting your abroad experience)
    2. Present information on a specific course or activities that you found particularly rewarding and instructive.
    3. Include information about internships if applicable
  7. Future plans to be written in the target language (e.g., graduate studies, employment objectives) This should be different from the English version supplied in Section B; here you should comment on how you view your transition from undergraduate learning to graduate study or a professional career; optional: include a paragraph on the role you expect the target language to play in your future. 1 to 1.5 pages.
  8. Awards, scholarships, travel grants, etc. (if applicable)—list name, donor or organization and date of recognition received during your academic experience.
  9. Reflective Essay - This essay is part of LANG 499 and needs to be included into the ePortfolio; address the thinking process that went into the collection, critical selection, and presentation of the content of your portfolio.
  10. Other - Include also any other artifacts and information not included in the categories above that you regard as important for this portfolio (optional, limit to four documents)
  11. General Education Competencies - must be identified by tagging artifacts (information, documents, etc.) with specific competencies; one document can be tagged with more than one competency. The following competencies must be addressed (see this page for further information):
    1. Arts and Humanities - e.g. literature courses, art courses, history courses
    2. Cross-cultural Awareness - e.g. study abroad experiences, internships, LANG 371, SPAN 314, courses in applied linguistics (e.g., pragmatics, sociolinguistics)
    3. Ethical Judgment - e.g. Ger 101, 305 or 306, Ger 475 or 476, Cultural Inquiry courses, an issues paper on an ethical issue from an upper-level course (e.g., a paper on immigration issues)
    4. Mathematical, Scientific, and Technological Literacy - see list of gen. ed. courses (required)
    5. Reasoning, Critical Thinking, and Problem solving - e.g. literature courses, creative inquiry, etc.
    6. Social Sciences - See gen. ed. requirements
    7. Written and Oral Communication - See gen. ed. requirements

Tagging General Education Competencies

For tagging artifacts use http://eportfolio.clemson.edu/. Log in and follow the instructions. You may tag pages and files in your portfolio as well as artifacts not included in your ePortfolio. See http://www.clemson.edu/academics/programs/eportfolio/ for online help.

(Last updated Fall 2011.)





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