E-Portfolio Frequently Asked Questions
E-Portfolio Exception Policy: Students who have earned 45 earned credit hours prior to Summer 2014 through MCC coursework (including developmental courses), transfer credit, test credit (including CLEP, AP, DSST, Proficiency), and/or State Certifications are exempted.
- Can I get a waiver to excuse me from creating an e-portfolio?
There is no waiver of any end-of-program assessments.
- What's the purpose of the e-portfolio?
The purpose is to ensure that students complete graded work in all five of the general education goals and to allow the college to assess student achievements in those areas. The assessment will aid in the development of transformations in course design, teaching methods, textbooks, and scheduling to improve the college's offerings. The college is assessing the quality of education and where improvements can be made. The college is required by the State of Illinois to track progress of its students for accreditation purposes.
- Can I write my cover letter in the first person (using I statements)?
Yes. You're reflecting upon your own experience at MCC, so this is appropriate. See the John Smith sample posted in Canvas.
- Who can I direct my specific questions to?
Provide your email at the e-portfolio info booth or an e-portfolio workshop, with your question. Someone will get back to you.
- What happens if I just don't do it?
An e-portfolio is a graduation requirement. If you're missing any type of graduation requirement, you will be denied graduation.
- Will I get any score or feedback? Does this affect my grade?
Your e-portfolio is not graded and will not appear on your transcript or count toward your GPA or grades.
- Would anyone know if I just put random stuff in there?
The Assessment Team and faculty will assess your e-portfolio. The results are used to improve courses at MCC. Please be responsible to future students at MCC and complete the e-portfolio following the guidelines.
- Can I use one assignment to cover a few categories?
No. There must be five items in your e-portfolio, one for each general education goal.
- What if I am a transfer student and haven't taken many courses here? I might not have an artifact for each category. What happens then?
You only need five items. An assignment can meet goals that are not immediately apparent - think beyond the obvious. You should be able to find five items that show these goals.
- Is there a length limit on the artifacts?
No.
- What file types can I upload?
Any file type installed on MCC's computers can be uploaded. If you can view the file on MCC computers, you can upload it to your e-portfolio.
- Can I use an item which isn't an essay?
Yes, and that is encouraged, to show more variety. You could include a photo of any project, a video or audio file of a performance, a spreadsheet or other graphic, or documents which aren't essay (like computer programs).
- Can I attach items already submitted in Canvas?
Yes! All your submitted documents are available and can be linked for insertion in your e-portfolio.
- Can I make improvements on my graded work based on feedback the teacher gave me when grading before I submit the item in my e-portfolio? Can I make other improvements?
Yes, since you learned this concept/skill needed to improve the work while at MCC, even if you learned it after receiving the grade. It's completely up to you which version of each item is included in your e-portfolio: graded, no grade shown, updated, etc.
- What is the definition of analysis and synthesis for the Critical Thinking section of my e-portfolio?
Analysis is breaking things down into pieces and parts, looking at patterns or comparisons in order to find something new.
Synthesis is comparing different things, combining and blending ideas in order to find something new.
- Is Canvas available to me forever? Just the portfolio portion, or all of it?
The downloadable version of your e-portfolio is a pdf document for you to keep even if Canvas at some point becomes obsolete. Furthermore, Canvas records will be available as long as MCC uses Canvas. The pdf version is obviously what most students should save and keep forever and ever.