Published: May 10, 2024 by Kesheena Doctor

The e-Portfolio is the culmination of our experience at the iSchool and is often the most anticipated aspect of the program. I have asked recent graduates and alumni about their experiences with the e-port when networking and professors often provide feedback on assignments and professional work that could be used as e-Port evidence.

In preparation for the class and as part of this blog,  I met with iSchool advisors and interviewed alumni. After successfully completing INFO 289: Advanced Topics in Library and Information Science (e-Portfolio), I have had time to reflect on the experience and would like to share more insight into the e-Portfolio process.

INFO 289

For those unaware, the e-Port is the final required course for MLIS students that demonstrates their competency in the LIS profession. Students also have the opportunity to take INFO 299 Thesis, but most iSchool graduate students opt for the e-Portfolio. INFO 289 is a 3-unit course that must be completed in the student’s final semester with the iSchool and is only offered in the spring and fall semesters. Dr. Linda Main oversees the program, but students directly work with a faculty advisor to complete their e-Port. Advisors are randomly assigned at the beginning of the semester and assignments cannot be changed.

The coursework for the e-Port includes creating a website in Canvas or other approved website demonstrating a student’s competency with the LIS profession by addressing the iSchool’s Program Learning Outcomes, or core competencies, and using work created in class or as a professional as evidence to support understanding of the course. To ensure that students successfully complete INFO 289, students are provided with support throughout their time in the program to ensure they have the evidence and understanding of each competency.

iSchool Advisement

For students who are anxious about e-Portfolio, the iSchool offers advising appointments, which I highly recommend. To ensure I had the proper preparation for e-Port, I scheduled an advising appointment with Sheila Gurtu at the end of fall semester. I really enjoyed my advising session with Gurtu and she provided many practical ways I could prepare for the e-Port, including carefully reviewing the e-Portfolio Handbook, including the Examples of Evidentiary Items section and Required Content section. Gurtu also recommended becoming familiar with the Core Competencies and knowing which classes support which competency. Scheduling iSchool advising appointments can be beneficial for students who want reassurance with their e-Port prep, including how to navigate the e-Portfolio Handbook, get more information on the requirements to take INFO 289, or get suggestions on course planning for the semester you take e-Port.

My e-Port Experience

I found the e-Port process to be arduous but manageable. Based on the suggestions I received from others throughout my iSchool experience, I ensured that I collected possible evidence examples for each competency at the end of every semester and saved them in Google Drive in specially designated folders. During winter break, I sorted through my saved work and began organizing my evidence by competency.

I found writing was the hardest part of the e-Portfolio course and it took me a few weeks to get into a good writing flow. I initially tried to work on the e-Port by competency but found that completing the component section of all the competencies was faster for me (each competency has four component sections: Introduction, Area of Competency, Evidence, and Conclusion). Since INFO 289 is on a shorter schedule, I ended up completing the majority of my e-Portfolio right before the deadline, which was extremely stressful, as the class does not offer extensions for late submissions.

Though I felt well-prepared at the beginning of the semester, after INFO 289 was complete and I have had time to reflect on the experience, I would like to share some tips to improve the e-Portfolio process:

• Save everything. I recommend saving syllabi, all assignments and discussions, and assignment instructions. This information will be invaluable when writing evidence sections.
• Be organized. I made a spreadsheet of evidence examples for each competency, separated by class to ensure I never used an assignment more than twice.
• Be average. I typically strive for A-quality work, but the e-Portfolio is a pass/no-pass course, and I found that passing can mean having B-quality work.
• Have support. The e-Portfolio is largely a self-directed course and having a study group can be very affirming and provide the support needed when work gets stressful.
• Have the tools you need. Overall, you are able to determine what you need to complete INFO 289. The e-Portfolio is essentially writing a 90-page paper demonstrating your ability to be a LIS professional using the iSchool and any professional work as examples.

I hope you have a great experience with INFO 289! If you have any tips to share to improve the e-Portfolio experience for other iSchool students, please feel free to share in the comments.