Owning your ePortfolio sounds easy enough and straightforward. You created it, it's all about your learning, so it's yours, right? Well, it's almost yours; it depends on whose platform you created the ePortfolio on. If you don't use the correct platform, you won't own the domain in which your ePortfolio is created. Once you leave the institution or employment, the ePortfolio will no longer be available to you; they will own it, not you. However, there is a solution: be mindful in the creation stage; don't use your work or school email, but your personal email. By doing so, you are one step closer to owning your ePortfolio.
Next, watch out for innovative sites that don't allow you to host your domain. During the first discussion about ePortfolios, I was surprised that Google Sites is not a preferred web host because you do not own the domain. I thought this was an error because Google allows you to do everything within their interface, but after further review, I was proved wrong. As stated in the Google Sites FAQ, "Does Google sell domains? No. You can't buy a domain directly from Google anymore. Google Domains changed hands to Squarespace." There was an option to connect a GoDaddy domain to Google Sites, but I felt more work was on the hosting side. Even though we pay GoDaddy for other websites used within the family, I didn't want to tack on another. We pay yearly for those hosting sites, and I was looking for something more affordable for this project.
After reviewing many articles and videos, the consensus is that you own your ePortfolio (Tech Express, 2023). Your ePortfolio is your creation, thoughts, work, and learning. As stated by COVA, your digital domain is your choice, ownership, voice, and authentic learning. The article " Who Owns the ePortfolio " encourages students to take responsibility for their learning and showcase that learning with others, making learning visible to any audience (Lazenby, 2022)." The blogs you write are your expressive thoughts regarding your learning process. There's no right or wrong in the creativity used to express your learning. The ePortfolio is a hub for all your learning experiences, not someone else's. It's authentic to each individual's learning style.
When I first started creating my ePortfolio, I asked myself many questions. How will this interest potential employers? What can I add besides an All About Me page and resume? Why am I doing all this tedious work when a simple paper resume has always been sufficient? My way of thinking is outdated; employers look more at your innovative skills than your experiences. In the article, Skills Based Hiring is Gaining Ground, "You have to be innovative in identifying skills. Skills-based hiring has become increasingly popular amid the tight labor market, pushing companies to try unorthodox approaches to finding employees." The ePortfolio is a way to show your creative thinking to potential employers to secure a position in a competitive job market.
Having the rights to your ePortfolio allows you to continuously add and modify your content and gives you the freedom to know that it will always be available. In a world of constantly changing technology, the ePortfolio will highlight your professional growth over the years.
References
Google Sites. (2024). FAQ. https://sites.google.com/site/horstwebdesign/domain
Lazenby, B. (2022, June 14). EPortfolios: The what, why, and how!. Missouri
Online. https://teaching.missouri.edu/blog/eportfolios-what-why-and-how
Tech Express. (2023). How to Use Wix to Make a Portfolio Website (2024) Step by
Step Tutorial. YouTube. https://youtu.be/fT4VN1CjQA8
