Browsing Ojibwe translation

170.

If you're wondering what Mahara or an ePortfolio is, why you might want one and what it can do for you, then read on. You're about to find out.

171.

At the most basic level, Mahara is two things: an `ePortfolio <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eportfolio>`_ and a `social networking <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_network>`_ system combined. An ePortfolio is a system in which students can record 'evidence of lifelong learning' -- such as essays, artwork or other such things they produce that can be stored digitally. Such things are known as *artefacts* in Mahara. Social networking systems give a way for people to interact with their friends and create their own online communities.

172.

But Mahara is much more than just a place to store files. Mahara also includes blogging, a résumé builder, and web services to integrate with other platforms.

173.

Here's a short video by `Domi Sinclair <https://twitter.com/Domi_Sinclair>`_, formerly at `University College London <https://ucl.ac.uk/>`_. She explains what Mahara (called 'MyPortfolio' at UCL) is and for what it can be used.

174.

Using a metaphor

175.

It often helps to use a metaphor to explain a new concept. There are many metaphors used for portfolios. Here are two of them to give you an idea of how you could explain portfolios to your learners.

176.

Kate Coleman explores the idea of using metaphors for portfolio work in her `PhD thesis <https://www.artographicexplorations.com/metaphor-and-metonymy.html>`_.

177.

Would you use any of these metaphors? Do you have your own?

178.

The gallery or museum

179.

.. image:: images/portfolio_metaphor_gallery.*
:alt: The gallery or museum metaphor