Frequently Asked Questions
Baccalaureate Portfolio Project: Guidelines for Students
What is the Baccalaureate Portfolio Project?
The Baccalaureate Web Portfolio is a collection of 12 of your best papers or projects that you have completed for course assignments at UW-Eau Claire.
These 12 papers come from the coursework you have done at UW-Eau Claire. Except for completing a brief cover sheet for each submission, and then uploading the paper to your web portfolio, you do nothing in addition to your regular course work.
How do I get to my WebPortfolio?
- Go to: http://webportfolio.uwec.edu/
- Login with your UWEC username and password
- Go to: View My Portfolio
How do I know what kind of a paper/project to put in my portfolio?
The Baccalaureate Web Portfolio spells out what type of paper or project to submit. Your professors also will point out the papers and/or projects in the course that are suitable for including in your baccalaureate portfolio.
How do I start my portfolio?
You were orientated to the Baccalaureate Web Portfolio in your FYE class. If you did not take an FYE class (or otherwise missed an orientation) you can download the FYE Baccalaureate Web Portfolio Orientation (PowerPoint file).
What is this portfolio used for?
UW-Eau Claire is required by law to assess how well “we” are helping students to achieve the Goals of the Baccalaureate Degree. Every June, a group of UW-Eau Claire professors read the portfolios of graduating seniors to see how well the university is doing; this committee is assessing the university--not you. Your name is removed from your papers and projects before the committee sees them.
The findings from this summer reading are then “fed back” into the university community to make decisions about changing curriculum and teaching to improve student learning.
How does this portfolio benefit me?
More and more employers and graduate schools expect graduates to present more than transcripts and letters of recommendation; they often want to see specific examples of what you have learned and learned how to do.
Keeping a portfolio also allows you to monitor your progress and development at UW-Eau Claire. You will be able to look back over your academic work and literally see your growth and learning.
Am I required to turn in a portfolio?
According to the University Senate Action of May 8, 2001 , "Students in capstone courses and alternative capstone experiences in the majors will be required to participate in some part of assessment of the baccalaureate such as exit interviews, focus groups, surveys, or portfolios."
When do I turn in my baccalaureate portfolio?
Your Baccalaureate Web Portfolio will be collected electronically by the Director of University Assessment in the weeks before your graduation. The Director will send email reminders to update and upload your portfolio during each semester.
My department also requires a portfolio. Can I use the same paper for both portfolios?
Yes.
And you will find that you can use the same paper twice in the baccalaureate portfolio--see the descriptions for “Inquire, Think, and Analyze” and “Writing Effectively”.
Important Reminders
Provide a brief but specific description of your professor’s assignment. It is important to the portfolio readers that you include a careful description of what you were assigned to do!
Turn in freshman level work. Two of the submissions are to be from your freshman year. They do not have to be from English 110. These freshman papers are compared to work done later in your academic career so the committee can see the degree of growth and learning.
Turn in your best work. Periodically, review the papers in your portfolio to see if you have a better example from a recent course.
Hints
At the end of each semester, look through your papers and determine which ones meet the goals assessed by the portfolio. Put the paper(s) and the assignment(s) in your portfolio right away.
When you meet with your adviser, bring your portfolio to review each year to see if you are on the right track.
At the end of your junior year, review your submissions to see if they are your best work. If you are missing a paper, pay close attention to your senior level assignments.
Whom can I contact for more information?
Dr. Scott Oates
Director of University Assessment
Associate Professor, English
HHH 411
Extension 36-4953
Email: oatessf@uwec.edu
