Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
business that needs to present experience level, skill set, accomplishments,
project aptitude, and technology expertise needs a Web portfolio. A Web
portfolio is a Web site, true, but it is also a targeted marketing project. This
gives the project a different scope and goals.
The Web portfolio is a marketing site that promotes an individual or business
to potential and existing clients, and the rest of the wired world. For an
individual, the personal Web portfolio provides a personal marketing tool to
help secure a job, promotion, chronicle achievements, disseminate information,
or to assist in gaining freelance work. A personal Web portfolio may include a
variety of content specifically based on the background and goals of the person.
More support on the development of personal Web portfolios comes from
Kimball (2003), who titles his definition of the personal Web portfolio the
“professional marketing Web portfolio”. Kimball (2003) suggests that within
the job market, Web portfolios can do at least three things which include
“demonstrating to employers that you have the qualities and skills they want”,
demonstrating that you have “technical skills that will be useful” (pp.152-153),
and he adds the Web portfolio “emphasizes your communication skills”. He
adds:
after all, the Web is primarily a communication medium — and
many employers cite communication skills as one of the most
sought after qualities in a new employee” (p. 153). Finally,
Kimball considers the fact that there are no predefined standards
for professional marketing Web portfolio, he concludes that the
author should “use all your professional skills and instincts to
speculate on what qualities and materials of professional
audience might like to see in a Web portfolio, then build a Web
portfolio that fits those expectations.
(Kimball, 2003, p.153)
Professionals in any field can have a Web portfolio. However, it is quite
important for educators to have Web portfolios. Web portfolios are so
important that state university systems and school districts across the world are
researching, developing, and teaching Web portfolio courses. Web portfolios
have become viable assessment tools in elementary and higher education
administration (Kilbane & Milman, 2003). Academia has been investigating
and massaging Web portfolios for the past decade or so. Limited research
