Portfolio parts and requirements
This section outlines how to prepare an e-Portfolio. All portfolio submissions will contain the same parts although navigation will understandably differ accordingly.
Your portfolio must contain the following parts and meet the following requirements:
A. Formatting elements
- Paper size 8 ½” x 11” (portrait presentation).
- Text:
- Font – Calibri, Arial or Tahoma
- 12 pt – bolded only to identify categories
- Double space autobiography and/or narrative sections
- Black text colour
- Number all pages of front-end pieces and learning statements.
- Place your name and student ID# as a header or footer of each page excluding supporting documentation.
- Orient front end pieces and learning statements to portrait layout.
- Orient support documents to portrait layout.
- Include no numbers or bullets in learning statements.
B. Sequential layout guidelines
Refer to the PLAR handbook, sample student e-Portfolios , and the PLAR documents and resources page for suggested formats of front end pieces and examples of supporting document types.
- Cover page (optional)
- Must include Student Name and ID# and program name.
- You may use creativity for the title of portfolio, display of photos, or graphic layout (but it is not required).
- Declaration page - Available for download.
- Table of contents (TOC) - This important tool guides you in the organization of your portfolio including proper referencing and naming of your documentation in the e-Portfolio. You will NOT upload this document to the e-Portfolio. You will share this TOC with your mentor during portfolio preparation. Do not adjust your TOC after it has been approved without further consultation with your mentor.
- Tab references must be in numerical sequence.
- Tab 1 aligns with the resume.
- Name and reference each support document with an identical name and tab number in both the Table of Contents and in the Supporting Documentation column within your learning statements document.
- Refer to program and course-based examples:
- DegreeWorks worksheet (program planner) - A current copy of the DegreeWorks worksheet (or program planner for students with older course regulations) is required indicating courses completed, in process, and transferred.
- Front-end Pieces.
- Résumé.
- Autobiography
- Critical incident (optional)
- Learning statements document
- Refer to website and PLAR handbook for guidelines specific to program-based and course-based approaches.
- Supporting documentation
- Start the name of each document with the tab number assigned within your mentor-approved table of contents.
- Aim for approximately 50 tab references for supporting documentation. That number is suggested to guide a concise presentation.
- Refer to table of contents samples above for organization of documentation.
- A minimum of 2 letters of attestation is required. A maximum of 3 – 5 letters of attestation is encouraged. See PLAR handbook, page 33, for details.
C. Organizational Tips
- Use a separate tab for each document and reference it in the table of contents.
- Start the name of each document with the tab number assigned within your mentor approved table of contents.
- Ensure all documents showcased are clear and display all information required as supporting documentation.
- When using large documents as support, insert only the pertinent aspects of these documents in the e-Portfolio. Ensure that the original document is appropriately referenced. This will result in provision of a truncated version of the supporting document.
- Pictures: If pictures are used in the body of the e-Portfolio please keep these to a minimum and use only if relevant to the learning. Check with mentor if in doubt.
- Confidentiality: Ensure references to any individual(s) including names, initials and contact information or private organizational content is redacted from the e-Portfolio.
- IMPORTANT NOTE: No changes, additions, or deletions to e-Portfolio documents or organization should be made after your mentor has reviewed and approved all contents prior to submission.
A printable version of this Portfolio parts and requirements document containing additional details is online and will also be provided to you by your mentor.
Updated June 09, 2023 by Digital & Web Operations, University Relations (web_services@athabascau.ca)