5303: Who Owns the ePortfolio?

The portfolio is owned by the learner. The person who constructs the website, displays the learning, and provides their reflections on the teaching is the owner. Although the information is public, the way the learner displays it is their own. Many educators share information instead of reinventing the wheel and choose to add personal touches that suit their needs and the needs of their intended audience. Following the COVA model of Choice, Ownership, Voice, and Authentic learning experiences allow the creator to take the ePortfolio and construct it for whatever purpose they need it to be used for. As a student in the ADL program, I created an ePortfolio as an essential requirement to fulfill the required work for my degree, however, the skills I have learned can be used throughout my educational career and beyond. The term ePortfolio has been in circulation for quite some time, however, I was not aware of the potential benefits that creating an ePortfolio has. 

One of the key points to address in ownership of the ePortfolio is the ownership of the domain. When  I initially attempted to make an ePortfolio, I used WordPress, which proved to be much more complex than I anticipated. I purchased the domain and attempted for several days to construct the website with very little success. I later chose to create my current ePortfolio using a Wix website which was seamless and easy to navigate and customize. One of the big takeaways from the process of creating the ePortfolio was how the site is displayed. Because I purchased the WordPress domain, if you type my innovation plan in Google, it will be the first thing to pop up, however, the only thing you will see is my failed attempt to create my initial ePortfolio.  Do I own both? Yes. They are both my creations, one displaying a more realistic compilation of the learning that I have completed thus far, the other displaying an attempt at the learning I still have to come.