Media Center Minute

This Media Center Minute is dedicated to the revised 9th grade Minuteman Student Portfolio.

This past summer the Academy Development Team Portfolio & Senior Project subcommittee of Drew O'Connors (lead), Kara Gleason, Eric Marshall, Anne-Marie Merrill, and Beth Nardone worked on revisions to the Minuteman Student Portfolio, resulting in an updated portfolio manual and a new portfolio format for the Class of 2025 and beyond.

Read on to learn more about:

• 9th Grade Portfolio Trainings with Mr. O'Connors & Ms. Gleason
• The Portfolio Resource Guide on the library media center website
• Building Portfolio Web Pages with Adobe Creative Cloud Express
• A Review of Portfolio Benefits & Rationale
• Research about Student Portfolios

During the week of April 4th, Mr. O'Connors and Ms. Gleason kicked off hands-on, interactive training for 9th graders on the Minuteman Student Portfolio & Adobe Creative Cloud Express.

Using Adobe Creative Cloud Express, students learned how to log-in and create a portfolio web page. They set up home pages, a 9th grade academics page, and a career area achievements page. Each student learned how to publish and share a link to their portfolio web page, and added screen shots, links, and reflections for their English portfolio entries.

Learn more about building a web page with Adobe Creative Cloud with this overview video (below) and training web page.

The Portfolio Resource Guide, listed under 'Quick Links' on the library media center website, provides a range of information about the revised Minuteman Student Portfolio, including easy access to:

1. The Portfolio Manual
2. A sample student portfolio built with Adobe Creative Cloud Express
3. Training / how-to web page for portfolio & Adobe Creative Cloud Express
4. References to learn more about the research behind student portfolios
5. A short video about the rationale and benefits of portfolios

There are many reasons to include a portfolio as part of the Minuteman student experience. Learn more with the video below and video transcript infographic.

Review research about student portfolios with this References list.

A small sample of students were asked for their feedback after the recent training session.

All students sampled (100%) indicated that they agreed or strongly agreed that the Minuteman Student Portfolio training "helped me learn more about the portfolio requirements and process." Nearly 82% agreed or strongly agreed that the session "helped me learn how to use Adobe Creative Cloud to build my portfolio website." More student feedback will be solicited after the next training session.

See below for some student comments.

Building a portfolio requires organization. Recently, Mr. O'Connors set up and shared an individual Portfolio One Drive folder for all 9th graders. Students should upload portfolio materials, photos, and reflections to their One Drive folder so that they have convenient access as they build their portfolio web pages.

Ninth grade students should continue to build their portfolio web pages using Adobe Creative Cloud Express. A follow-up support session is scheduled for the week of May 2nd.

Email: kgleason@minuteman.org
Website: https://minutemanhs.libguides.com/mediacenter
Location: 758 Marrett Road Lexington, MA 02421
Phone: 781-372-2879