For course presentations, i'd like you to use PowerPoint in combination with a browser to share your in-process portfolio. Begin by reading through the portfolio content and design expectations in the syllabus. Then, focus in on 2-3 aspects of your experience that are meaningful to you and that you think the class could benefit from. Some suggestions:

  • navigation design
  • page layout (2 column, 3 column, somthing else?)--liquid or fixed.
  • color choices and combinations
  • choice of images, themes
  • rhetorical choices (pathos, ethos, logos)
  • coding problems and solutions
  • content choices
  • resume structure
  • ideas on proto-site
  • design concepts--balance (symmetrical, asymmetrical); unity (alignment, proximity, repetition); emphasis (placement, continuance, isolation, contrast, proportion).
  • sites you have been using as models and why

These are just a few of the topics you could address. Think of this as a good first draft of your portfolio--that means, it doesn't have to be completely polished, but is should have some shape at this point. I will be looking for you to "talk the talk"--do your best to apply some of the concepts we've been bandying about to your work. That being said, you don't have to have all the answers--in fact, questions would be more useful at this point--bring any nagging questions to the group and we'll try to work through them together. .

Both the mid-term and semester-end presentations will be progress reports, outlining where you have been and where you are going. For the midterm progress report, plan to present for about five minutes, and allow three minutes for questions and suggestions. The final progress report should run around seven minutes.

On the days of your presentation you will submit to me a progress report of your work. For the midterm report, please include a 1-2 page single-spaced page of prose explaining in detail what kind of progress you have made thus far. For the final presentation, include a site map of your proto-site with your report (see the handout on Creating a Portfolio Web Site for an example)--this can be created as a flow chart. The map should be a visual representation of your proto site now and should include possible additions for your final site.

The final report will be longer and include a reflection on your journey in the course--more details will be provided later in the semester.

Please design both reports according to the memo format:

memo format

heading

The heading of memorandums is designed to allow a reader to understand what he or she is looking at, and decide quickly whether he or she should read it. The heading has four

or five parts, appearing in this order. The "subject line" should be brief, but clear.

To:
From:
Subject:
Date:
cc:

purpose

Because many messages cross a reader's desk (or computer screen) daily, the first thing she is likely to ask upon seeing one is "Should I read this?" The "purpose" section answers that question. A very direct opening like "The purpose of this memo is to describe my progress on my online portfolio" is perfectly acceptable. It may be addressed to me.

summary

The summary is a brief recounting of the entire memo, including discussion/background, conclusions, and recommendation. Its placement as the second section allows a reader who does not need to know the details to stop reading.

background/discussion

The discussion/background describes the method by which the conclusion was reached. This section provides details of the subject and the justification for the conclusion. In almost all cases this is the longest section of the memo -- (eg., five paragraphs of an eight-paragraph memo, or two pages of a three-page memo). Generally, it is directed to those who need to know details -- laboratory assistants and clerical staff, for instance. For purposes of this assignment you may describe what you have accomplished and what you have learned; wrong paths and dead ends; and so forth.

conclusion/action

This makes some sort of conclusion from the issues and problems described in the "Background/Discussion" section. It also describes where you intend to go from here. For purposes of this assignment, you should describe what parts of the portfolio you have yet to complete and when you expect to complete them. You may also describe design changes you are contemplating, be they minor or major.

Suggestions and advice:

Prepare the presentation far enough in advance to make sure it works on the computer in the classroom. The more bells and whistles you add, the more glitches are likely. Be creative but prudent. Make a back-up of the presentation on another disk.