Introduction

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Introduction

This e-portfolio is the capstone project of my journey through the iSchool’s MLIS program. It reflects the 14 competencies required of an information professional working in the field today. 

The structure of the site is as follows:

• Introduction: This brief introduction explains my process for completing the e-portfolio. 
• Core Competencies: Each competency has a separate page which is broken down into four sections. The introduction includes an explanation of my understanding of the main points within each competency. The competency development section shows my own personal interactions with this idea and my growth towards mastery. The evidence sections include three to four examples of work products drawn from my classroom assignments and professional life that are examples of the application of the competency in action.
• Affirmation and Conclusion: The final section of the e-portfolio is an affirmation and concluding remarks. 

My Process

I prepared for the e-Portfolio the summer before my class in two ways. First, I created document templates for each of my competencies. In the template I included the actual competency description and the statement of competency rubric for each competency in the header and the section titles. I also created folders for each comp on my Google Drive to collect evidence examples. I went through each class and reread my assignments. I copied each assignment into the relevant competency folder. I also used past portfolio examples to gather ideas for evidence. This was extraordinarily helpful because it allowed me to think about my classwork in a new way. For example, I first thought I had nothing to demonstrate an understanding of Comp A, but after reading a student example that used a paper on copyright I remembered that I had done a project on creative commons copyright. My example was a completely different format and for a different class but was relevant still.  

When the class officially started in the fall I was well positioned to begin writing. I gathered all the textbooks and notes I had used for each class. First, I set up a website with WordPress to house my e-portfolio. I decided to host my own site on WordPress so that I would have access to the site after the e-portfolio class concluded.

Writing the first competency was a challenge but soon I found a rhythm to my writing. When I started a new competency I would first read through my evidence examples. I then would find relevant chapters in the texts Information Services Today and The Portable MLIS. After reading these chapters and other class notes I would write a brief outline and start on the competency explanation. I would then add my evidence and finally the competence development discussion. I always add the references as I write so that I do not forget. Sometimes I would have a more difficult time with a competency and in that case I usually worked backwards and started by explaining my evidence. Explaining my own evidence worked wonders to remind me of all the pertinent ideas and helped me overcome any hesitancy.

I was very concerned about sickness interfering with my schoolwork. I both work in a school and have four children attending different schools which increases my exposure to the Delta variant. Because of this, I dedicated the first four weekends of the semester to writing the rough drafts of all the competencies. Once completed, I was free to edit the competencies throughout the semester in a more relaxed fashion knowing that the major intellectual work had been accomplished. 

I worked straight through from A to O as required by my advisor’s review schedule. I had been very apprehensive about this e-portfolio project throughout my entire program and concerned my class choices did not cover all competencies. I found the actual work of the project to be highly rewarding. I was very well prepared in both understanding and evidence. The e-portfolio has been the perfect culmination project to remind me of all the various aspects of librarianship that I have studied. 

Last updated October 25, 2021 6:28 PM