Starting an ePortfolio is like starting writing a letter. We fear the white page and wonder where and how to start.

We may wonder about everything:

• What shall I put in my ePortfolio?

• How am I going to present myself?

• Who is going to read it?

• How am I going to speak to my readers?

All of these are important questions. But the good thing about an ePortfolio is that it is always work in progress. That means...

And that means:

• You can always improve your ePortfolio.

• You can always ask friends or family or your tutor to help you improve it.

• There is no need such thing as a completed or final ePortfolio. However, you can always use it to reflect on what you have learned and ask the people you trust to help you to improve it.

The contents of your ePortfolio will depend on what you want to use it for.

So, this is your first question:

Please note that...

Selecting the items that will be in your ePortfolio is an important activity:

You might not want to have too many, as it will make it difficult to read.

But you don't want too little either, as it will appear empty.

Remember:

The important thing about an ePortfolio is that it can help you achieve something you really want. It is a means and not an end in itself. The ePortfolio is good if it helps you achieve your goal for example, if it helps you get a job interview or an internship or learn new skills.

Don't let it become an obstacle to your true goal. It is very easy to get distracted and spend too much energy on making it nice rather than useful - In fact it can be both!

Of course, though, when trying to make it nice, you will learn new tools, new techniques and you might probably enjoy that new learning opportunity.

So, in order to get started, you only have to answer these questions:

1. Why do I want or need an ePortfolio?

For help with this question, see chapter 2

2. Which is the best tool to help me build my ePortfolio?

For help with this questions have a chat with your tutor.

You should then be able to start your ePortfolio!

Remember: There are many ways in which to use an ePortfolio.

Nevertheless, all ePortfolios contain the following elements:

• Products : which can be things you have done on your own or with the help of others

• Reflections : after a specific activity, on what you have learned, on a specific event

• Feedback : what the readers of your ePortfolio think of its contents

You yourself select which of these is more important for your ePortfolio.

Always remember:

Make smart choices about what to put in your ePortfolio but remember that it is a work in progress which you can change and improve whenever you like!

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