Blackboard Portfolio Pilot
Electronic portfolios enable students and faculty to assemble, present, and share information online for documenting academic growth, career evaluation, and course preparation. The Blackboard Portfolio tool is bundled with the Blackboard Content System and allows users to collect and organize files and other digital content representative of their learning into custom Web pages. A portfolio can then be presented to individuals and groups of users. Users can grant access to other NIU Blackboard users and non-NIU users to view their portfolio as well as export the for offline viewing.
Some of the features of the Blackboard Portfolio tool include the ability to:
- store portfolio artifacts in the Blackboard Content Collection
- create portfolio for either personal accomplishments or course requirements
- link to coursework artifacts in Blackboard
- use pre-configured portfolio templates
- create customized templates
- share portfolio with faculty for comments
- share portfolio with other classmates as well as non-NIU users
- control access to who can view portfolio and for what duration of time
- export portfolio for offline access outside Blackboard or archive to CD
Sample Blackboard Portfolios
As additional samples are developed, they will be added here. **NOTE - Samples currently only viewable from NIU connection or VPN to NIU network.
Portfolio Implementation / Limited-Release Pilot
After completing a recent hardware upgrade, NIU is preparing to enable the Blackboard Content Collection feature, including Blackboard Portfolio tool, for students. In preparation for this campus-wide implementation, NIU is working to implement the new Blackboard Portfolio tool, conducting a two-phase implementation and limited-release pilot during Summer and Fall 2010 semesters.
During the first phase of the pilot (Summer 2010), faculty and staff who have expressed interest in use of ePortfolios are encouraged to review the capabilities of the Blackboard Portfolio tool and provide feedback concerning implementation campus-wide. Since system-wide configurations to the Blackboard Portfolio tool need to be customized prior to a campus-wide pilot, this initial pilot seeks feedback regarding the utility of the tool and recommendations for implementation. This initial pilot and implementation phase will include exploring the development of NIU-themed portfolio templates to be made available for students and faculty use.
During the Fall 2010 semester, a second phase of the pilot is anticipated where any interested NIU faculty/staff, graduate teaching assistants, and leaders of Blackboard communities will be encouraged to try using the Blackboard Portfolio tool with their Blackboard course section(s) and/or Blackboard communities, thereby testing the initial implementation templates and features and providing feedback.
For more details, contact Jason Rhode at jrhode@niu.edu or 815-753-2475.
Initial Informational Meeting - Friday, May 14th
An initial informational meeting was held Friday, May 14th for those interested in participating in the phase I pilot and implementation. Staff from ITS and Faculty Development led a discussion of the features of the Blackboard Portfolio tool and logistics for beginning the implementation and pilot during the Summer 2010 semester.
The meeting was simulcast online via Wimba Classroom and archived for those who were unable to attend.
Archived Meeting Materials
Accessing Blackboard Portfolio Tool
The Blackboard Portfolio tool is now available to any interested faculty or staff member. Please contact Jason Rhode at jrhode@niu.edu or 815-753-2475 for access.
Faculty can schedule a hands-on training session for assistance getting started with the Blackboard Portfolio tool and also request access for their students to assist in piloting the tool as well as schedule a hands-on training session Contact Jason Rhode at jrhode@niu.edu or 815-753-2475 for more details.
Please note that the Blackboard Portfolio tool works best in Internet Explorer.
Portfolio Manual / Guides
- Blackboard Portfolio Tool Manual (PDF)
- Reusing and Reorganizing Portfolio Content - Quick Start Guide (PDF)
Portfolio Tutorials
The following tutorials introduce use of the Blackboard Portfolio tool:
- Blackboard Basic Portfolios Tutorial
- Blackboard Personal Portfolios Tutorial
- Personal Portfolio Quick Start Guide - Temple University (PDF)
- Blackboard Portfolio Student Instructions
comprehensive overview by Taylor University of creating student portfolios in Blackboard; Login required: username = guest :: password = welcome
e-Portfolio Resources (General)
The following resources provide additional ideas and suggestions for use of e-portfolios in general and/or the Blackboard Portfolio tool:
- Blackboard Portfolio Tutorial - University of Texas at Brownsville
- e-Portfolios using Blackboard's Portfolio Creation Wizard - University of Toronto
- e-Portfolio Rubric - UW Stout
- e-Portfolio Resources - Educause
- e-Portfolio Resources (Archives) - Educause
- e-Portfolio Templates - International Society for Technology in Education
For more resources, see groups.diigo.com/group/bbportfolio
Last Updated: 8/18/2010