PROSPECTUS

1. Goal

The goal of this new system is to enhance performance for those who are developing their portfolio for the Learning Systems Design and Development track.

2. Overview

The LSDD portfolio PSS will providing guidance through the steps of what is involved in the portfolio process including:

  • provide the user feedback with their stage in the portfolio development process
  • allow the user to see examples of model portfolios
  • provide the user access for definitions or further explanations
  • provide contact information for questions on portfolio development
  • help facilitate scheduling and submission

This PSS will not help them in designing the interface for their portfolio, as that is something that students should know how to do through their courses in the LSDD track, and would also represent their development skills.

3. What's been done

Although not a portfolio development system, the online graduate application system ApplyYourself has some features that I thought were valuable and could be utilized in the portfolio development PSS, such as the progress meter as well as a list of items to include.

BigBlackBag.com: This is a website that allows you to create an online portfolio. There are many other types of portfolios out there, but they are tailored towards image and art portfolios, not a collection of works in a variety of formats (HTML, PHP, ASP.NET, etc.) This portfolios purpose is to eliminate any website creation you may need. This is where generic portfolio development PSSs may differ in purpose from what this particular purpose is.

There are lists of other higher-education portfolio creation PSSs, however, I am not able to access them (or access them easily). A list of them can be found here: http://electronicportfolios.com/myportfolio/versions.html

4. What's been said

The Electronic Portfolio Development Process © 1999, 2000, Helen C. Barrett, Ph.D. "I view portfolios as a process rather than a product--a concrete representation of critical thinking, reflection used to set goals for ongoing professional development."

Note: This has guided me towards the understanding that this PSS will need to have the overall look and feel of "a process", thus showing the progress made and guiding the user towards completion. Also, by helping the user guide them towards critical thinking and reflection by helping them understand the standards as well as what they are supposed to do in creating their portfolio.

Performance Support Solutions: Evolutionary PS for Business Needs by William Bezanson "A performance support system (PSS) provides just-in-time, just enough training, information, tools, and help for users of a product or work environment, to enable optimum performance by those users when and where needed, thereby also enhancing the performance of overall business."

Note: This has guided me towards the understanding that this PSS will not need to help users create websites, as that is a part of the competency itself. However, students do need training, guidance, and tools in the *process* of the portfolio development and in the critical thinking as described above.

5. Standards

Items that Must be Included:

  • Professional Resume
  • Program of Study
  • General Reflection
  • Demonstration of Competencies
    • Conducting needs assessment and evaluating learning systems.
    • Designing learning environments, including systems for: direct instruction, constructivist learning, collaborative work, and performance support.
    • Developing learning systems applications or components of applications.
Portfolio Evaluation Process

6. Wild ideas

I see the portfolio PSS almost as a separate entity from the actual design of your portfolio; however, it is the guide and the means by which you track your progress. I see it almost as a portfolio progress tracker, guidance system, and helper. Wild ideas: I have NO idea how I would do this, but it would be very nice to somehow incorporate this "portfolio tracker" into the actual portfolio site that you were developing, or vice versa.

7. Experts

The main consultants would be those involved heavily with LSDD, especially those also familiar with PSS as well. Dr. Wedman and Dr. Laffey would be the first ones, but additional professors who also have an interest in designing interfaces would be very useful to have on board.