he tangata, he tangata, he tangata

Acknowledge the past

Embrace the present

Advance the future

1. Why did you sign up for the joint ALIA/QUT project?

I first heard about the project when I attended the New Librarian Symposium in Melbourne as a reward to myself for finishing my degree and becoming a new Librarian. I currently work as a library assistant in a regional, very tradtional library in SE Queensland, and realised I would need to take ownership of my professional development to keep relevant and current if I was to ever be employed. I liked the thought of undertaking a learning journey that would be relevant to me, yet be part of something bigger. An eportfolio seemed like a really good fit.

2. What do you want to achieve as a member of the project?

My aspirations were twofold: personally to use it as a tool to document my professional development, create a CV for interviews and to create a webfolio that could showcase my achievements. Secondly, to use eportfolios within the public library spectre. I have accomplished the first and working on the second.

3. How are you progressing and what are your experiences so far?

Initially pebble pad was a bit daunting as I was unsure what some of the terminology meant. I gave myself a month to just play around with out really doing anything, just experimenting and playing. I spent a fair bit of time uploading all of my information (assets) and working out how to tag for future reference. I still like the look and feel of the product, and have decided that when the trial is complete I will pay for the product.

4. How have you used your ePortfolio (practical applications)?

I have used my eportfolio firstly as a repository for all my documents ie qualifications, professional development etc. I then created a blog to document my learning and professional development journey. I also created a CV for job hunting and a webfolio that can showcase some of my Web 2.0/multimedia interests. I have just recently been employed for a 3 month contract as a Young people's Librarian, and I used my webfolio to help gain this position.

5. Almost 8 months have passed, what features of your eportfolio do you like the most and why?

I like being able to record information as an asset, and then having the ability to use that asset/information in a variety of scenarios. I also like the fact that I can update my information in one place, and by ticking a box all the rest of my content can be updated simultaneously.

Without sounding superficial, I still love the look of my pebblepad eportfolio. It is very glamorous and iPhone lookingish!

6. If you had to create an 'elevator pitch' aimed at fellow librarians re your ePortfolio and professional development, what would you say?