In response to the blog post Art Teacher Portfolio Ideas, Abby Rappel asked,
“Can I use my website portfolio instead of a paper portfolio on interviews or do schools still want to see paper form portfolios?”
That is a great question! When I was in college (12 years ago), we were required to make a paper portfolio in a binder. Digital portfolios were not as big as they are now. I believe the college now requires the students to make digital portfolios to graduate.
My thought is that if you have a way to show it during an interview (like an iPad) then that would be the best way to ensure that the interview team sees your ideas. In my opinion, the best use of a portfolio is to use it as a “talking point” and show pictures and lessons to illustrate your points. It also shows that you are organized and prepared. If you just leave them the link to your web portfolio, they may or may not actually ever look at. It’s been 9 years since I’ve been job hunting, and I have not made a digital portfolio. I suppose that if I were job hunting now, I would make one to show how I can use technology.
Bringing an iPad to an interview is a great idea. I helped interview the last 2 years, and candidates brought paper portfolios. We were in an odd room due to construction and cleaning in the summer, and a computer wasn’t available.
I interview artists/teachers all the time. I like when they bring an iPad to quickly show me their work. I usually do not have time to go back and look at links left on applications or resumes. I also recommend a small printed piece with a few examples of their work also to cover the bases and also have something to leave behind to remind me of their work. I’m a visual person and I remember the artist better when I have a piece of their work to remind me ;o).
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