Artifacts – What are they?
Every time you create an artifact, a post, or a page on your portfolio you are creating a Learning Artifact. Artifacts are demonstrations of your learning. Artifacts can be photographs, documents, video, audio files, digital files – essentially the form of the artifact is up to you!
Using the TWU Portfolio Plugin
The purpose of this plugin is to help students categorize their learning artifacts. Using this plugin is optional, but the practice of categorizing is strongly encouraged. There are three templates that use the TWU Portfolio Plugin:
- TWU Hearts Portfolio
- TWU Minds Portfolio
- TWU Inspire Portfolio
Each of those themes will give you a ‘TWU Portfolio’ item in your Navigation Menu.
To create a new Artifact, you can hover over that link and choose ‘Add New’, or you can hover over the ‘New’ link in the top admin menu and choose ‘Artifact’.
If you don’t see the ‘TWU Portfolio’ menu, you might need to activate the ‘TWU Portfolio Helper’ plugin.
All Artifacts in the Learning Portfolio will be categorized using ‘Artifact Types‘ according to the TWU Student Learning Outcomes or Ways of Knowing, or you can create your own categories according to your own interests, career goals, or experiences.
Categories to Consider Using to Organize your Posts
- Critical Thinking
- Problem Solving
- Creativity
- Communication
- Collaboration/Teamwork
- Technology
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Global Perspective
You can learn a more about these competencies on the Career Ready post on this site or you can come to the Learning Commons and speak to the Director of Career and Professional Development or a Career Counsellor.
Your artifacts will be assessed by Peer Instructors and Faculty– so it makes them an ideal place to showcase your learning, growth, and development. As you transition out of the three Foundations courses your portfolio becomes a showcase for potential employers and your own documentation of experiences at TWU.
Consider Including:
- Global Learning Project Experience
- Mentorship Opportunities
- Student Employment or Student Leadership Experiences
- Clubs and Teams
- Volunteer Experiences
- the list is endless – TWU is full of experiential and embodied learning!
You are a Curator!
Remember that you are the curator of your artifacts. Over the time it takes you to reach your degree your artifacts will reflect the richness of your learning. It is up to you to document your learning by uploading (and removing) artifacts that best represent this journey.