Designing my e-portfolio

There are some difficulties and challenges that I faced upon completing the e –portfolio. First among the rest is when I need to learn using the software to be used – Dreamweaver. This software is really complicated and tough to be understood by a novice user like me. Without the supporting help and guidance from the book, internet and people who have use this software before; I don’t think I will be able to use it.

Searching for a free web hosting is tedious. It’s because usually the free web hosting has pop-up advertisement somewhere in the pages. However, Dahlia suggested me the google pages web hosting. For the time being, this web hosting offers free hosting and non pop-up advertisement in the pages. I register an account at www.googlepages.com first before upload the files.

Second challenges is when arranging the layout where sometimes the arrangement that has been made do not appear the way I construct it. Perhaps there is a reason for it but I couldn’t identify the reasons. Therefore, in order to ensure that I have the layout that I desired, I have to arrange the layout and edit few items. I have to do this arrangement for quiet some times coz sometimes it may works, sometimes it won’t.
Next challenges exist when I tried to insert few pictures where by I have to use Adobe Photoshop. Some pictures that I choose were different in the sizes, and there were pictures that need to be edited and adjusted before it can be transferred to the Dreamweaver. Even though I managed to edit some, but there are some pictures which I failed to edit since it has different format and adjustment.

The falling flowers in my e portfolio are attractive and nice (that what I think). However, it is not as easy as what it seems to be. Actually I used Java-script - where I have to download the code in the first place. Then I choose the flower to be used and just copied the coding provided in the software, together with the picture of the flower. The next step, I paste the Java-script coding at the e portfolio coding in Dreamweaver. And finally that what I have – a nice falling flowers.

If you notice the background that I use in the e portfolio is the ‘butterflies in blue’. That background is gained from internet (I can’t remember the address coz I go into many free background web). What I did was I choose the background that I like to and then set it as the background in Dreamweaver.

Another sub in my e- portfolio is the guest book. It is quite easy actually where by I just have to create an account at www.shoutmix.com and then they provided me the coding. So I just copy and paste the guest book coding into Dreamweaver.


Despite of the difficulties and challenges upon completing this e portfolio, there are also some parts where I did enjoy doing it. First was when I link the content to the internet. It is quiet straight forward because there was‘tutorial’ software that helped me to do this. I learnt few times before I link them by my own to the internet. Thankfully this software is provided for free. However there’s one little problem exist when I tried to link my e- portfolio with ELT links using google pages. For example I need to type the full address as http://www.melta.org.my- otherwise it won’t be recognized and unidentified. The same goes to my e portfolio full address. Since I am using the Dreamweaver software, and just upload it through google pages, thus the address that is attached consist of ‘index.htm’. That is why my e portfolio is http://umi0779.googlespages.com/index.htm

As a whole, the experience that I gained to design and create this e-portfolio is valuable and precious. I might not been able to experienced this if we are not given the task in the first place. However, I would like to recommend others to use the google pages because it is easier compared to others.

Teaching notes under construction

Dear students,
I'm sorry that I'm not able to put my notes and exercises yet. It is still under construction, due to some problems. I'll try to put everything next week.

Why e portfolio?

The first time my lecturer told that we must develop our own e portfolio, I tried to think of a reason "why"?. Later on, through out the semester, I understand why. First, it is a mirror to see my development as an English teacher. It is as a reflection of the process that I have gone trough or what have I done so far since I became an English teacher. It also enable me to see a clearer picturer of myself by giving opportunity to my friend and students to write on their comments freely. Second, it also helps my students to get the notes and exercises that relates to the subject I teach. In other words, it may serve as my teaching tools to provide link to the teaching materials. Third, this e portfolio will be helpful for my future development where it could develop my future career.

Stage 2 : Developing process

The next step is to link the front page with the sub categories, which is not as much difficult as the previous steps. It is like doing a 'magic' where after all the efforts that you took, finally everything appears. All the pictures,colours, backgrounds and theme that I chose seem to be very nice and attractive (or maybe I'm the one who get too excited). And after completing doing the link and button for every sub, I just upload the e portfolio to the web hosting.

My friends told me that it is really difficult to use this DreamWeaver software but finally I managed to learn and use it after quite a long time. Even though I realized that some of my friends have actually used the free webs that are able, and which is much easier than my steps, I did learnt a lot. Now, I can just concentrate on maintaning my e- portfolio. I'm sure there will be changes in my current e portfolio, maybe something that I would like to add on or delete. A part from it, based on the articles an research papers that Dr Edwin gave us, I realized that this e portfolio is very important to see my development as an English teacher. The gap that I can see when comparing mine with other professional and expert lecturers will motivate me to try harder to reduce the gap.

Stage 1: Designing an e-portfolio

It's quite difficult to get a free web to host the e-portfolio (or perhaps I couldn't find one). Therefore I decided to use an alternative , rather than keep on searching for it. I bought a book on " Create Your Own Website" by Scott Mitchell. Fortunately, eventually I got the idea on how to create an e portfolio since it is more less the same as creating a website.

Firts, I prepare the content of the e portfolio and devide it according to a sub topic. I did refer to Harold Poong e portfolio in order to give me a picture and idea. Therefore, I decided to devide the sub into: personal details, teacher experiences, personal development, co-curricular activities, lesson plans and notes, elt links, forum and link to this blog.

After decide on the content and categorized it, I started to design the frontpage. To be able to this, I use the Macromedia DreamWeaver MX. It is a very challeging task since I am not particularly expose and involve in using that software. However, I am able to learn and design the front page. I also managed to design every single page for each sub category, even though it took a very long time to complete it. I nearly frustrated during the designing process coz it took a lot of efforts and very time consuming. I always tell myself that this is for my own development and satisfaction. At the same time I set in my mind that this is only the beginning to develop my own professionalism.