Elmhurst College   ELECTRONIC PORTFOLIO PROGRAM Program Overview At the core of the Elmhurst College experience is the integration of learning with professional development. Many students view the college experience as a set of classes, such as courses in general education, courses in your major and elective courses. However, learning outside of the classroom (co-curricular learning) and experience you obtain at your job (part-time or full-time) or in volunteer work is also valuable. The integration of these learning experiences and writing intentional reflective pieces about them comprises what we at Elmhurst call purposeful learning. The Electronic Portfolio program at Elmhurst College is designed to be a systematic, intentional, visible and public process that will provide you with a means to integrate purposeful learning and professional excellence. In this program, you will work with a faculty mentor to assemble a valuable set of credentials (your personal portfolio) that showcases your talents, accomplishments, and personal strengths. Creating your portfolio will involve writing about all of your learning experiences as they relate to important dimensions and skills that true professionals possess. You will work with your mentor in the writing process and you will share your ideas with fellow students. You will also assemble a collection of your best work. Your portfolio will be put together as an interactive personal Web page, complete with links to the examples you are using and to other sites that relate to your experiences. The ultimate goal is for you to use your portfolio to create an excellent resume that you can use for job applications, graduate school applications or personal statements for professional programs such as teaching, medical school or other professional school. We feel strongly that the porfolio will provide a major component in your quest for professional success. Goals of the Electronic Portfolio Program: To integrate purposeful learning (classroom, co-curricular, experiential) with professional development. To receive guidance from a faculty member in the systematic assembling of your professional credentials (the personal portfolio). To provide a framework for enhanced participation in the Center for Professional Excellence. To clarify the concept and meaning of what it means to be a "professional" in the Liberal Arts tradition. Outcomes and Products of the Electronic Portfolio Program: Address and articulate Dimensions and Skills as an expression and presentation of self. To produce effective, evolving portfolio documents and subsequent Web pages. Professional Statement High quality professional resume. Graphical Scheme of Outcomes and Products of the Program Dimensions and Skills: In creating your portfolio, you will be documenting your acquisition of knowledge, skills, and expertise in five Dimensions and five Skills that are essential for a true professional.  Five Dimensions  Five Skills  Career Exploration Analytical Ability   Intercultural Perspectives Computer/Information Literacy  Leadership/Teamwork   Interpersonal Skills  Responsibility to the Wider Community  Oral Communication  Values and Ethical Articulation  Written Communication Portfolio Program Course Sections: CPP 311 : Portfolio: Introduction - Dimensions Course Description: The emphasis of this course is on the reflective writing on the Dimensions. In addition, there is an introduction to the development of an electronic portfolio containing the Dimensions. CPP 312: Portfolio: Enhancement - Skills Course Description: Focus on Oral Communication and the reflective writing on Skills. Oral communication in public speaking and group presentation roles, as well as, interpersonal skills in small groups is enhanced by the Power Point presentation technique. An academic diary is used to create an annotated course transcript and a record of various co-curricular, community, service, shadowing, internships, and travel/international experiences. Further work on the electronic portfolio incorporating the reflective writing on Skills is expected. CPE 411: Portfolio: Professional Preparation Course Description: This is the capstone course in the PPP program with the major goal of preparation of professional documents including the personal statement, resume, and cover letter which summarizes credentials, professional dimensions, and skills. In addition, there will be a self evaluation to clarify the concept and meaning of what it means to be a "professional"and to express these orally. CPE 412: Portfolio: Professional Preparation Enhancement Course Description: The major emphasis is on professional communication skills in public speaking, group and interview settings. In addition, the electronic portfolio is enhanced to include professional resume and additional enhanced materials.