2015

Student Manual to ePortfolios

INTERNATIONAL
STUDIES
CERTIFICATE

Paloma Rodriguez, ABD

Coordinator of International Education

Santa Fe College
5/7/2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Eportfolio Required Elements................................................................................................................................................................. 3
E-Portfolio Content and Structure ............................................................................................................................................... 3
Welcome Page............................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Rsum ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
About Me page.............................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Reports on Events ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Involvement...................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
International Research .................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Volunteer Work with International organizations ................................................................................................................... 4
Study Abroad ................................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Additional items ............................................................................................................................................................................. 4
Template .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 4
Eportfolio Step by Step.......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Video Introduction.......................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Why ePortfolios?...................................................................................................................................................................................... 7
General Tips ............................................................................................................................................................................................. 9
Design Tips.............................................................................................................................................................................................. 10
Welcome Page............................................................................................................................................................................ 10
Rsum .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 10
About Me page........................................................................................................................................................................... 10
Reports on Events ........................................................................................................................................................................ 11
Involvement & Volunteer work ................................................................................................................................................. 11
International Research ............................................................................................................................................................... 11
Study Abroad .............................................................................................................................................................................. 12
Awards and Achievements........................................................................................................................................................ 12
ePortfolio Career Tips.......................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Page layout.................................................................................................................................................................................. 13
Rsum .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
LinkedIn ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 13
Discuss your involvement in student organizations and/or volunteer work .................................................................... 14
Marketing your International Experiences ............................................................................................................................ 14
Discussing your study abroad experience ....................................................................................................................................... 15
Before departure........................................................................................................................................................................ 15
Rate your Global Learning and Intercultural Competence................................................................................................ 15
What have you gained from your experience abroad? ................................................................................................... 16

Showcase and share your experience abroad.................................................................................................................... 18

Technical Tips for Wix Users .............................................................................................................................................................. 19
How do I embed a poster or Power Point Presentation? ................................................................................................... 19
How do I embed a video? ........................................................................................................................................................ 19
How do I insert a button? .......................................................................................................................................................... 19

EPORTFOLIO REQUIRED ELEMENTS

E-PORTFOLIO CONTENT AND STRUCTURE
In order to satisfy the experiential portion of the International Studies Certificate you need to
create an electronic portfolio. Your portfolio must include the following:
WELCOME PAGE

Include a picture of yourself

Include a short and catchy introduction
Additional option: add a short testimonial and/or quote

RSUM

Statement of career goals

List of skills, jobs, education and extracurricular activities
Showcase your international experience (study abroad or other)

ABOUT ME PAGE
Include a page about yourself to add a personal touch. This is where you can showcase your
hobbies, philosophy of life, career goals
Include documentation of experiential requirements in some or all of the following areas:
REPORTS ON EVENTS
Include a 500 word write-up for every qualifying event:

International lectures
International films
International performances
Cultural events (museum visits, field trips)
Conversation tables

INVOLVEMENT
Include a 500 word write-up for every experience with involvement in student organizations with
an international focus. The following SF organizations qualify as international:

Anthropology Club
Arab Student Union

Asian Corner
Chinese Club
French Club
Global Society
H.O.L.A
ISCA
MUN- Model UN
World Travelers Club

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH

Include here your papers, projects, and research posters

Include research presented at RUE (Research in Undergraduate Education Festival and
other conferences

VOLUNTEER WORK WITH INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Include letter from adviser

Include reflective essay

STUDY ABROAD

Include your photo journal/ picture gallery

Include your 1,000 study abroad reflective essay

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

Hobbies
Organizations/ Volunteer work
Other Travel

TEMPLATE

Browse a sample template

EPORTFOLIO STEP BY STEP

In order to graduate with an International Studies Certificate you will have to create an electronic
portfolio that captures your international coursework and your participation in international
activities. Here is some information to get you started:
VIDEO INTRODUCTION
Start with a quick video introduction: http://youtu.be/47u1e6rfsoo

STEP 1

STEP 2

Take a look at what other students

have done

Create your free account with in

www.wix.com.
We recommend Wix because it is
very user friendly.
(For tutorials click here).

Here are other content management systems you

can use to build your portfolio:

Wordpress
Square space
Tumblr
Google sites
Weebly

Use our template as a guideline

STEP 3

You can personalize your eportfolio,

but pay attention to the items in the
navigational bar to make sure that
your portfolio contains all the
required elements.
Use the graduation form to keep a
tally of the points you are accruing.

STEP 4

Attend our eportfolio workshops

We hold several eportfolio workshops every

semester.
We will be posting announcements with dates
and times in the Events, Facebook pages, and
here in Canvas.
Publish your portfolio and participate in the
discussion groups here in Canvas!
By participating in discussion groups you will be
able to share your work and get feedback from
students and professors.

STEP 5

STEP 6

Share your eportfolio

All done!

If you want to know how well you are doing, do

not hesitate to send the link to your portfolio to
the Coordinator of International Education,
Paloma Rodriguez
(paloma.rodriguez@sfcollege.edu)
When you are ready to graduate, complete the
graduation form, include the link to your
eportfolio, and send it to the Coordinator of
International Education, Paloma Rodriguez
(paloma.rodriguez@sfcollege.edu)

WHY EPORTFOLIOS?
EPORTFOLIOS CONTRIBUTE TO ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Numerous studies show that students

who use eportfolios get better
grades and are more likely to
complete their courses and degrees.

EPORTFOLIOS ALLOW YOU TO OWN AND CONNECT YOUR LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Creating an eportfolio will help you:

Have a personalized learning experience

Connect the dots of your learning (academics, career, travel, volunteering, life, goals)
Be the judge of your own work
Gain awareness of your own progress
Work with technology

EPORTFOLIOS CAN HELP YOU GET A JOB

Employers find eportfolios useful for hiring

purposes:
80 % of employers say that, when
evaluating a job candidate, it would
be very or fairly helpful for them to
have access to an electronic portfolio.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

ePortfolios are useful for hiring purposes

I need to demonstrate my skills
I need to include my exposure to global issues
I need to showcase my ability to communicate with individuals from other cultures
ePorfolios will make me a better learner
ePortfolios will deepen my learning and help me connect ideas
I will learn more if I share my eportfolio with others
I can find eportfolio resources in Canvas
I can ask questions to my faculty mentor

GENERAL TIPS
SELECT ONLY THE BEST OF YOUR WORK AND EXPERIENCES
Your eportfolio needs to display your best work, not all of it. Be selective and choose the
artifacts and experiences that best represent your skills, knowledge, and interests.
DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF TO ACADEMICS OR INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
Show yourself as the well-rounded person you are. Include your volunteer work, artistic
skills (music, photography), and general interests.
CHECK YOUR GRAMMAR AND WATCH FOR TYPOS
Wix does not have a built in spell checker. You MUST write the text in a word processor
and then copy and paste it in Wix.
MAKE YOUR EPORTFOLIO VISUALLY APPEALING
Add images and videos featuring your work. Make sure that your eportfolio invites others
to browse and read about your work.
KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL
Unlike other social media (Facebook, Instagram), your eportfolio is a formal
representation of who you are. Do not include anything you would not want an employer
or professor to know about you.
REFLECT
Your eportfolio needs to demonstrate your global knowledge, intercultural competence,
and your ability to think critically. Your posted reflections will allow others to see your
multifaceted talents and abilities. When you write your essays consider including two or
three of the following questions:
What did you learn?
What about this experience was the most useful to you?
What would you recommend to others about getting involved in this program? What
suggestions would you offer?
What area of your life was strengthened or improved by this program/experience?
List the ways in which you have grown as a result of this experience/ program
What problems did you encounter? How did you overcome them?
What risks did you take?
What experience in this program demonstrated your strengths and talents? Why?
(Adapted from by Nancy Wozniak and Sourav Tamang, in Penny Light, T., Chen, H., & Ittelson, J. (2012).
Documenting Learning with ePortfolios. Jossey-Bass, pp. 77-78).

DESIGN TIPS
WELCOME PAGE
Include a picture of yourself
Let the background speak of who you are,
what you care about
Make sure that your navigational bar is
clear and prominent
Keep text to a minimum
Include a short and catchy introduction
Additional option: add a short testimonial
and/or quote

RSUM
Include picture of yourself
Include statement of career goals
Include list of skills, jobs, education and
extracurricular activities
Dont forget to showcase your
international experience (study abroad or
other)
Refer to the Resume module in Canvas and
to the section on career tips in this manual

ABOUT ME PAGE
Include picture of yourself
Include a brief statement of career goals
Include some personal remark about your
personality and philosophy of life
Showcase your personal hobbies and
abilities (Do you play a musical instrument?
Do you enjoy photography?)
This needs to be a brief introduction to
who you are. Keep it under 400 words

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REPORTS ON EVENTS
Include a picture of the event, speaker, or
flyer
Feature several events on the same page
by adding a brief introduction to your
essay
Add a button to link the introduction to a
page featuring the whole essay
Refer to the Technical tips in this manual to
learn more about buttons

INVOLVEMENT & VOLUNTEER WORK

Include pictures of your involvement. A gallery is a
good idea
Showcase different types of activities (tabling events,
club meetings, civic engagement)
Refer to the Career Tips section in this manual to learn
about what to include in your essay
Include letter from adviser discussing your performance
and responsibilities
If you have participated in different organizations,
refer to the Technical Tips in this manual to learn more
about buttons

INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH
Include your best research papers, Power Point
presentations, research posters, and media projects
Refer to the Technical Tips section in this manual to
learn about how to embed these materials
If you have presented your research at a conference,
make sure that you mention this and include a picture of
you presenting your work

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STUDY ABROAD

Embrace the chance to create a truly stunning

page. Use pictures to engage your audience
Refer to the Study Abroad section in this manual
to learn about other ways to share your
experience

AWARDS AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Create a gallery
Add images of your certificates and
awards
Include an explanation of the award
Include testimonials
Include letters of recommendation

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EPORTFOLIO CAREER TIPS

PAGE LAYOUT
Select the CV (Curriculum Vitae)
layout for your rsum page in Wix

RSUM

Read the information in the Rsum

Module in Canvas, and make sure that you
incorporate these tips into your online
rsum
Use action verbs to describe your
experience

LINKEDIN
Create a free LinkedIn profile and add your
eportfolio as your personal page
Watch this video to learn how to make your
Linkedin profile look professional
Study these handouts and apply these
principles when building your eportfolio:
Profile
Tailoring your Profile
Showcasing your Expertise
Build your Brand

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DISCUSS YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND/OR VOLUNTEER

WORK

Use this rubric of Civic Engagement as a prompt to

discuss what you have learnt

You have also developed many important marketable

skills through your involvement in student organizations/
service learning

Look for the skills needed in the job you desire.

Use this site to find out skills and vocabulary:
http://www.onetonline.org/find/career

Showcase those skills in your essay

Incorporate key vocabulary items

Find tips here to create compelling narratives

illustrating your skills (S.T.A.Rs)

Include pictures of yourself participating in activities

MARKETING YOUR INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCES

Use this booklet to learn how to discuss your
study abroad and international experiences in
a job interview
Create S.T.A.R. responses (short focused
narratives showcasing important skills and
accomplishments)
Include some STARs in your study abroad or
immersion experience essay

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DISCUSSING YOUR STUDY ABROAD EXPERIENCE

BEFORE DEPARTURE

What do you expect to learn?

What do you intend to learn?
How will you learn?
How will you know you have learned?
How will you share what you have learned?

Attend the pre-departure orientation session. Review the presentation materials here.

RATE YOUR GLOBAL LEARNING AND INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE

How would you rate your Global Knowledge and Intercultural Competence?
Global Learning

Global Self-awareness
Perspective taking
Cultural Diversity
Personal and Social Responsibility
Understanding Global Systems
Applying Knowledge to Contemporary
Global Contexts

Intercultural Competence

Cultural Self-Awareness
Knowledge of Cultural Worldview
Frameworks
Empathy
Verbal and Non-Verbal
Communication
Curiosity
Openness

Read the rubrics and rate yourself before and after the trip:

Global Learning Rubric

Intercultural Competence Rubric

Upon return use these categories as prompts to discuss the nature of your learning and the
progress that you think you have made.

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WHAT HAVE YOU GAINED FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE ABROAD?

The following list provides you with a series of possible outcomes from an international
experience. You can use it as a series of prompts for your essay or as source of vocabulary to
articulate your experience.
Cultural Understanding and World View:
As a result of my international experience(s), I have developed:
A greater knowledge about another culture
Awareness of political, economic or social events around the world
My interest in global or transnational issues
My involvement with a global issue
My involvement with a civic cause
A definition of my political views
My ability to speak a foreign language
Personal Growth and Values
My international experience(s) have helped me to grow and develop:
My desire for more diverse friendships and social networks
My desire to further my education (e.g., postgraduate degree)
A better understanding of myself and my values
My sense of confidence in new situations or when meeting new people
My ability to accept differences in other people
My ability to empathize with people, especially those who are different from me
My ability to be more flexible and open-minded
My tolerance of ambiguity in a variety of situations
An understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses
My ability to be independent
My ability to take initiative
And, I have:
Become more aware of the way I use and structure time
An increased capacity to profit from my mistakes
Strengthened relationships with my family members
Strengthened relationships with my friends
A clearer notion of what I will do with my life
Additionally:
I am more capable of solving lifes day-to-day problems
I think more critically: I am more discriminating and skeptical
I have improved observation skills
I can appreciate time to be alone, disconnected from social media, etc.

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 I am more confident about the decisions I make

Recognized the importance I put on developing my skills and talents
An increased willingness to work hard and sacrifice in order to do well in school or in my
job
Professional & Career Development
Studying Abroad contributed to:
My ability to formulate my career goals and clarify my professional aspirations
I am more aware of the opportunities in life that are open to me.
Developing skills and intercultural competencies which will aid in obtaining my first job
after graduation
I have a greater willingness to take on roles and tasks to which I am unaccustomed
The importance I place on working in a field that I find interesting
The importance I place on having personal fulfillment in my work
My ability to speak a foreign language in the workplace
Developing my ability to understand an organizations culture
My ability to adapt in diverse workplace environments
Other things that you want to list

From Hubbard, A., Kaltved, D. & Durham, R. (2015). Marketing Your International Experience A workbook
for students preparing for the job interview process, AIFS.

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SHOWCASE AND SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCE ABROAD

VIDEO
Create a video to tell your story with Digital Storytelling
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXIEC2Tubho

MAPS
Map out your journey with Story Map
Open a free account here.
http://storymaps.arcgis.com/en/app-list/map-tour/

SOCIAL MEDIA
Are you the social media type?
Tell your story through social media
Create a group Facebook page, tweet your impressions,
create a gallery in Pinterest
Use Storify (https://storify.com/) to create a narrative.

ePORTFOLIO
Create a page in your eportfolio for your study abroad
experience. Here are different ways to approach this:

Reflective Essay
Old and New Perspectives
Journal

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TECHNICAL TIPS FOR WIX USERS

HOW DO I EMBED A POSTER OR POWER POINT PRESENTATION?

Open a free account in Slide Share or

Scribd, or use Google Docs
Upload your presentation. (Saving it first
as a Pdf file works best).
Create an image (.jpg) of your
presentation
Link the image to the uploaded
document

HOW DO I EMBED A VIDEO?

Click on the + Add button.
Select Media

Select Video
Link the image to your video

Example

Edit the text in the button.

Link the image to a page or
document

Example

HOW DO I INSERT A BUTTON?

Click on the + Add button.
Select Buttons & Menus

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Special thanks to Santa Fe International Studies Certificate graduates Catherine Barrios, Joshua Hildebrandt, Lisa
Walker, Rodrigo Cortez, Victoria Swander, and Katie Butler for allowing the use and reproduction of their
electronic portfolios in this guide.

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