Mahara+Conceptualizing+Core+Competencies

Core competencies are the most vital part of the ePortfolio. Core competencies embody content which students will display to their peers, professors, and employers. Core competencies allow students to arrange their most potent and valuable works for display. Before setting up the portfolio, the student will first create a design to help outline the content that will be displayed. Microsoft Visio is an ideal platform for designing core competencies. Using a skeletal set of core competencies such as communication, ethical thought, conceptualization, multi-disciplinary investment, collaboration, and socio-technical systems analysis, the student is able to construct a design for the portfolio. Students may add or delete competencies as needed, especially if they have a range of work that does not fit readily into these competencies.
 * Conceptualizing Core Competencies **

Using Visio, students can arrange a template into three categories: Core Competencies, Exhibits, and Description. The “Core Competencies” are the categories of the student’s works. The “Exhibits” are what the student will display. And the “Description” explains the work and its purpose. The students can alter the core competencies anyway they choose. An example of such a design is displayed below.



Now that the conceptualization of the core competencies has been explained, the next step is to show how to develop this concept.

For a model student ePortfolio designes in Visio, click here.

By: JE Wilkins major in Technical Communication and Media