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End of Program Portfolio
Guidelines for
Non-School Media Students
School of Library and Information Science
Description
Successful
completion of the end-of-program portfolio is a requirement for
the Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) degree
in the University of South Carolina 's School of Library and
Information Science. This electronic portfolio includes an introduction,
résumé, vision statement, and work samples (with
introductory reflective essays) that document competency in the
program's five areas:
• Information and its organization;
• Provision of information services;
• Organizational, leadership, and
management issues in information agencies and services;
• Application of technology and research
to evidence-based practice; and,
• Lifelong learning and professional
development.
The portfolio is submitted for evaluation prior
to the student's graduation (April 15 for May and August graduates;
November 15 for December graduates). The immediate audience for
the portfolio is instructors and administrators in the School of
Library and Information Science, but students might also target
the portfolio towards prospective employers.
Students will use Content Collection in Blackboard
to create their electronic portfolios. From the start of the program,
students should identify and collect work samples to save in the “My
Content” area in Blackboard (accessed by using the “Content
Collection” tab). By the time students near the end of the
M.L.I.S. program, their “My Content” area in Blackboard
will contain a variety of work samples. Students will select one
example corresponding to each of the five areas outlined above
to highlight his/her best work.
Help & Instructional
Materials
• Structure
for Non-SLM Portfolios (pdf) - The overall look and content
of the Portfolio
• Step-by-Step
Instructions for Creating a Basic Portfolio in Blackboard version
9.1 (pdf) - How to create your portfolio with Blackboard
9.1
• Scoring Guide
for Non School End of Program Portfolios (pdf) - Advisors
may use this rubric to score portfolios. Please check with
your advisor individually to see how they will review your portfolio
and to receive feedback.
Portfolio
Content
The end-of-program portfolio should have eight
menu items:
(1.) Welcome or Introduction
(2.) Résumé
(3-7.) Five work samples (one corresponding to each of the five
areas) with introductory reflective essays.
(8.) Vision Statement
1. Welcome or Introduction
The Welcome or Introduction Page welcomes visitors to the end-of-program
portfolio. It provides an overview of the content and how to
navigate the portfolio. A photograph is also a desirable part
of the introduction and should be a head shot or a photograph
taken in a professional setting.
2. Résumé
The résumé is a brief overview of professional work
experience and educational background. It should include memberships
in professional organizations, any professional presentations or
publications, and any honors or awards.
3-7. Work Samples Documenting Learning Outcomes
Documentation of competency in the five areas is the core of the
end-of-program portfolio. Students will choose an example of
their best work for each of the five areas. Work samples may
include, but are not limited to, research papers, projects, and
posters; professional briefs; and recorded presentations.
Reflective Essays For Each Work Sample: Description,
Analysis, and Reflection
When the left hand Navigation Link for a Work Sample is clicked,
the Reflective Essay for each Work Sample, and a link to the Work
Sample must display in the right hand panel.
The sequence for items in the right hand panel:
• Description
• Link
• Analysis
• Reflection
The reflective essays are an important part of
the end-of-program portfolio. They allow students to highlight
the knowledge they have acquired throughout the M.L.I.S. program,
to demonstrate professional growth, and to consider how their learning
experience will impact their professional practice. Reflective
writing is a three step process that includes (1) description,
(2) analysis, and (3) reflection. As students select their best
work sample for each of the five areas, they should address the
following components:
A. Description:
Description is an overview of the example.
It should include an explanation of how the work sample relates
to the particular area it addresses and why it was chosen for
inclusion in the portfolio. It sets the stage, explains the purpose.
It answers the question, “What did I do and why?”
B. Link to Work Sample
C. Analysis:
Analysis is the process of evaluation after
the fact that looks at successes and failures, what was accomplished,
what worked well and what didn't work well, and the results of
planned programs, lessons, collaborations, research, or other
activities. What were the results? What did you learn from this
experience? It answers the question, “What happened and
why?”
D. Reflection:
Reflection follows analysis. It is the critical
thinking that fosters professional growth and knowledge-building.
Reflection is an opportunity to contemplate how to plan and implement
activities in the future – the same way, differently or not
at all. “Reflection is the ongoing process of thoughtfully
considering our practice in the context of personal and professional
knowledge, assumptions, and beliefs, with the aim of achieving
insights that lead to professional growth” (Heath 39). Information
learned from step 1 and step 2 informs and improves future practices.
The goal of reflection is professional growth that results in improved
professional practice. It answers the question, “What will
I do to improve my future practice?”
8. Vision Statement
Discuss the professional philosophy/beliefs,
values and ethics that will govern your behavior and practice as
an information specialist. Describe your understanding of the professional
role of the information specialist and what you believe are best
professional practices. Highlight the knowledge that you have acquired
throughout the M.L.I.S. program, to demonstrate professional growth,
and consider how your learning experience will impact your professional
practice. How do you intend to grow as professional over the next
five years?
Portfolio
Submission Schedule
Graduation
Date |
Portfolio
Due |
Spring |
April
15 |
Summer |
April
15 |
Fall |
November
15 |
Schedule of Workshops
| Spring/Summer
graduation |
January |
| Fall
graduation |
August |
(Workshop dates TBA each
semester)
|
