Beginning with the Fall 2012 semester, students admitted to the Master’s degree in Learning and Performance Technology (formerly known as Instructional Systems Development), will be required to complete a professional portfolio.
The purpose of this requirement is to provide students an opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned in their coursework and the program. It also provides students, employers, clients, colleagues, etc. with tangible evidence of our graduates’ knowledge, skill, abilities, competencies and capabilities. Portfolios can be a wonderful career tool that may assist graduates in getting jobs, promotions, new clients, and other professional opportunities.
Students have the opportunity in nearly every class to create basic artifacts. With some polishing and improvements, these artifacts may be used to satisfy the portfolio requirement.
In order to graduate, each LAPT Master’s student must provide a professional portfolio of course-related work samples that reflects their accomplishments throughout their tenure in the program. Portfolios must be approved by the portfolio committee for the student to graduate.
What is a Career Portfolio?
The portfolio will contain a minimum of 8 and maximum of 10 work samples.
- Two work samples must be from the 4 core courses (LAPT 602, 603, 605, and 671)
- At least one sample must be included from either LAPT 771, 792 or 794
- Additional samples may include work from other LAPT program elective courses
- Students may only use work samples that were created as course requirements for the LAPT program. Samples created before they entered the program or samples that are not related to LAPT program requirements will not be allowed.
Up to two co-created or group work samples will be accepted with proper documentation, and consent from other contributors and a description of individual contribution to the work product.
Portfolio Content
In addition to the work samples, students will be required to include the following items, which may be documents, video, audio or other formats selected by the student:
- Overarching piece reflecting the rationale for the selected work samples and portfolio structure (250 words max)
- Student’s career goals and highlights of their learning in the program (250 words max)
- Resume(2 page max)
- Cover sheet explaining each work sample, indicating competencies and capabilities demonstrated and significant learning points. Please format your work sample using the CCAR (Competency, Context, Action and Result) method. This video shows you how to do that:
Cover Page Format for Each Work Sample
Each work sample must have a cover page to introduce the reader to the sample. It must have the following format:
| Competency: | Identify the competency the sample demonstrates |
| Context: | Describe situation where you created the sample |
| Action: | Describe what you did & why |
| Results: | Describe outcomes, use measurable results if possible |
Examples of Work Samples
Students should aim to present a varied portfolio that demonstrates a solid grasp of core competencies and capabilities, and the competencies and capabilities in their area(s) of interest or specialty. It is not necessary to demonstrate all of the competencies and capabilities in any model. Examples of the types of work samples that may be included in the student’s portfolio are:
- Case studies
- Design plans or documents
- Instructor manuals
- Evaluation strategy, assessment instruments & tools
- Job aids or performance support tools
- Lesson plans
- Multi-media productions
- Online learning projects
- Project management plans or documents
- Research or “white” papers
- Storyboards
- Training materials and leader guides
- Video or audio recordings
- Web presentations, wikis and blogs
- Writing sample
Students are responsible for honoring all copyrights and ensuring that appropriate credit is given for all materials used in the portfolio.
Work Sample Competencies and Capabilities
Students must use the following professional associations as a basis for their work samples. These associations are:
1. Association for Talent Development (formerly ASTD)
The ATD competencies and capabilities include:
- Change Management
- Coaching
- Evaluating Learning Impact
- Instructional Design
- Knowledge Management
- Learning Technologies
- Managing Learning Programs
- Integrated Talent Management
- Performance Improvement
- Training Delivery
2. International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI)
- Standard 1: Focus on Results or Outcomes
- Standard 2: Take a Systemic View
- Standard 3: Add Value
- Standard 4: Work in Partnership with Clients and Stakeholders
- Standard 5: Determine Need or Opportunity
- Standard 6: Determine Cause
- Standard 7: Design Solutions including Implementation and Evaluation
- Standard 8: Ensure Solutions’ Conformity and Feasibility
- Standard 9: Implement Solution
- Standard 10: Evaluate Results and Impact
Portfolio Structure
All portfolios will be submitted via a file sharing site or a website of the student’s creation. Either is acceptable. Students are responsible for the creation and maintenance of their portfolio and may use a web building tool of their own choice.
File sharing tools to consider:
Website tools (optional) to consider:
It is recommended that students do not spend a lot of time designing and creating a website since simple file sharing is acceptable.
The design of each portfolio will be unique to the student. The portfolio should be well organized and carefully planned so that all visual, audio, and text are clear and flow intuitively for the viewer. All files and links must operate flawlessly.
Preparation for the Portfolio
The program offers the following resources in order to prepare for the portfolio:
- Full-credit online course (LAPT 689: Portfolio Development in Fall & Summer)
- Optional online portfolio tutorials
- Sample portfolios from alumni and advanced students
- Interim check-ins during the routine advising process
- Portfolio Checklist
Initial Review of the Portfolio
Students will submit their portfolios for initial review after their 6th course and no later than their 8th course. The purpose of this review is to provide students with feedback so they can be prepared when they submit their portfolio for the final review.
When you are ready to share your portfolio please contact Dr. Williams at gregw@umbc.edu.
Final Review of the Portfolio
Each portfolio must be submitted for final review in mid- semester during the semester when students expect to graduate (April 1st for Spring, July 1st for Summer, November 1st for Fall graduation). A feedback committee consisting of faculty, LAPT board members, selected alumni and employers will conduct a preliminary review of each portfolio and offer suggestions as necessary. Final grading (pass or not pass) of the portfolios will be made by vote of the committee.
Feedback will be made in a timely fashion, so students can meet graduation timeline requirements. The committee, at its option, may allow for additional work to be completed to meet requirements. Possible outcomes may include:
- Pass – pass without any conditions
- Pass With Conditions – passing is conditional on making minor changes
- Not Pass – student must make changes changes/revision based on committee feedback and then must resubmit their portfolio
Final Portfolio Submission Deadlines:
The semester that you apply for graduation is when your portfolio is due.
- Fall Semester: November 1st
- Spring Semester: April 1st
- Summer session: July 1st
When you are ready to share your portfolio please contact Dr. Williams at gregw@umbc.edu.
Timetable
The following time table is provided as a planning tool to guide students
First Semester – select file sharing tool, post from courses after each semester
After 6 courses – student must post portfolio for initial cursory review by evaluation committee
Final Semester – submit final portfolio mid-semester of semester that student intends to graduate (April 1st for Spring, July 1st for Summer, November 1st for Fall graduation).
After Every Semester – post work samples from course(s) taken that semester
Ongoing – student request feedback from fellow students, co-workers, alumni & professionals
Portfolio Ownership
All submitted portfolios are the property of the student but may be used as examples by UMBC unless otherwise specified by the student.
Note to Students
These requirements are subject to change. Since this is a new requirement and process for students, the LAPT program may need to flexible with the administration of the requirements.
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