I started to develop my e-portfolio in April 2010 and have continually updated information since this time. By this time I had basically completed my MDE course work by the time that the concept of e-portfolios had been adopted at AU. As such I spent a significant  amount of time and energy in reviewing past assignments, asynchronous conferences and some of the readings.

The e-portfolio is a capstone experience which is presented in the Athabasca Landing social software program (beta version). The final e-portfolio is based on a set of competencies that AU faculty have derived from course learning outcomes in the Masters of Distance Education program. I have attempted to document my MDE learning experience in accordance with the 6 main competency categories identified by AU, while also identifying the accomplished competencies for each of the bodies of work:

• Problem Solving, Analysis, & Decision Making
• Instructional Design & Development
• Communication Technologies & Networking
• Communication & Interpersonal Skills
• Research
• Management, Organization and Leadership

The e-portfolio consists of the following components:

• Introduction
• artefacts with short reflections (300 – 500 words) on how each meets some or all of the competencies
• concluding synthesizing reflection

My artefacts include a variety of items reflecting learning from the program, including course papers, course projects, or even materials or projects from work, which have been influenced by knowledge and skills developed in the program.

As stated by AU, the purpose of an e-portfolio is ...

"to promote reflective progress through the degree program by allowing students and advisors to visualize, share, and celebrate progress through the programs. Students may also use their e-Portfolio for personal or professional reasons such as sharing their work with peers or presenting samples of their work to potential employers.

To add a reflective component to student learning through selection, annotation, and public display of course artefacts. Overall, the intent of the e-Portfolio is to encourage thinking beyond coursework and move towards envisioning reflective practice and future possibilities outside of the MDE program itself.

e-Portfolios also serve as a mechanism for students to document their progress through the MDE program and to review the portfolio with their advisors at key decision points.

As an alternative to the comprehensive examination at the end of the MDE program. Based on the selection of assignments, reflection, and feedback collected in the e-Portfolio during their program, students write a culminating, integrative reflection paper on the e-Portfolio. This paper, as well as review and discussion of the completed e-Portfolio by an examining body of two faculty members, will be the final capstone activity for students completing the course-based route".