Assignments

Discussions

IntroductionContains unread posts

The goal of our first discussion is to get to know each other. Be creative, post a picture, find an internet article that is your favorite and answer the questions below. For this virtual discussion, picture yourself sitting around the table getting to know the class. There are no wrong answers. I look forward getting to know you.

From one of your famous or most read or admired authors, what is a quote you might live by or like to tell others? Or, list some significant event that you know about that relates to this course topic. Or list some other famous quote. Maybe there is a great scientific discovery you admire. Or describe a great person or hero in your life.

Next, list what music you listen to; what you watch on film, television, or video, what you read in print or online, and where you go to have fun for travel or recreation.

What is the view outside of your window? What is your favorite app on your phone or electronic device?

Is your fridge more likely to be full of food or take-out containers?

Describing yourself using 4 adjectives, what would they be?

Instructions: Your initial post should be at least 250 words. Please respond to at least 2 other students. Responses should be a minimum of 100 words and include direct questions. This discussion submission serves as your official entry into the course. This Introduction Discussion must be submitted the first week of the course, by 11:59 p.m., ET, on Sunday to maintain your registration in the course. Students who do not post to this discussion by 11:59 p.m., ET, Sunday will be automatically dropped from the course.

W1: Selection of Artifacts

Your portfolio is a way to gain your competitive advantage in the marketplace. Throughout the course, you will be editing previous coursework and uploading to your portfolio. In addition, you will create new artifacts (items that you want to showcase) to include in your portfolio. Your portfolio should include a diverse collection of artifacts that represent you. Consider how you will use the portfolio after the completion of the course? How will you use the final product to enhance your personal branding?

For the second part of our discussion this week, please answer the following questions. Based on your reading and understanding, how would you describe an ePortfolio? How do you develop one? What are signature assignments and how do you select the best one to include in your portfolio? A list of the signature assignments is located in the resources area. Will you include videos and pictures?

Be creative as there is not a right or wrong response. Provide details of the artifacts you would like to include. Consider what will be of value to the person reviewing the artifacts. When you respond to your peers, consider artifacts they may not have included.

Instructions: You are expected to participate during the current week's discussion. Contact your instructor in cases of emergency or uncontrollable circumstances.

W2: Portfolium

Did you know that APUS has partnerships with employers that use Portfolium? Did you know that Portfolium also has subscriptions from other employers? Portfolium allows prospective employers to search based on skills. This is different from looking at a resume. How do you think having employers being able to search for skills for a possible opportunity over reviewing your resume helps you?

Instructions: You are expected to participate during the current week's discussion. Contact your instructor in cases of emergency or uncontrollable circumstances.

Discussion Guidelines

Now that you have your login for Portfolium. Research the two tabs. What will you include on the Profile tab of the Portfolium? The Portfolio tab will be where you post your artifacts and signature assignment. The artifacts/assignment should be tagged for one or more skills. Also, employers will not read a long assignment. You need to post a short blog, a short PowerPoint or a short personal video for each artifact/assignment that provides a synopsis of the assignment and explains how the artifact/assignment supports the skill. What do you think you will do for each artifact/assignment? Why?

Instructions: You are expected to participate during the current week's discussion. Contact your instructor in cases of emergency or uncontrollable circumstances.

Discussion Guidelines

W4: Central Theme

Your portfolio should have a central theme, such as leadership, management, project management, etc. Your central theme should be supported by the skills. What will be your central theme? Why are you selecting this theme? What skills will you select to support the central theme? How do your artifacts and signature assignment support the skills?

Instructions: You are expected to participate during the current week's discussion. Contact your instructor in cases of emergency or uncontrollable circumstances.

W5: Different eportfolios

You are now close to submitting your draft eportfolio. APUS uses Portfolium as its eportfolio software. Look at eportfolios from two different Universities (google eportfolio examples) and compare and contrast those sites with Portfolium. What are some of the advantages of Portfolium? What are some of the drawbacks? How will you overcome the drawbacks?

Instructions: You are expected to participate during the current week's discussion. Contact your instructor in cases of emergency or uncontrollable circumstances.

W6: What to accomplish!

What do you hope to accomplish with your eportfolio? Why and how?

Instructions: You are expected to participate during the current week's discussion. Contact your instructor in cases of emergency or uncontrollable circumstances.

W7: Professional Growth

How helpful was this class in preparing evidence of what you accomplished in this program? How will what you learned improve your professional growth?

Instructions: You are expected to participate during the current week's discussion. Contact your instructor in cases of emergency or uncontrollable circumstances.

W8: Career Services

Did you know that Career Services is very familiar with Portfolium? As an APU/AMU grad, you can use career counseling anytime. Those in career services can help you tweak your eportfolio or even update it for a certain position. How will you use Career Services to help make your eportfolio more powerful? Do you see yourself using Career Services in the future?

Instructions: You are expected to participate during the current week's discussion. Contact your instructor in cases of emergency or uncontrollable circumstances.