How To Get Content For Your ELearning Portfolio

 

So you now know the importance of having a portfolio. However, you are probably asking yourself where to get samples to build your portfolio if you do not have any instructional design experience. Here is my answer: you do need to have experience to build your portfolio and apply to jobs, but you can easily get both experience and a portfolio relatively quickly without any formal job experience.  In this blog post, we will look at a number of ways to get content for your portfolio.

1. Volunteer – You can find an online organization that does not require you to travel to the location.

• E-Learning for Kids is a global nonprofit foundation dedicated to free and fun online learning for kids of all ages. They now have courses for adult learners as well. E-Learning for kids is constantly looking for volunteers who can contribute their time and knowledge. The process for becoming a volunteer is simple, and they have all types of projects from basic storyboarding to developing and quality assurance.
• LINGOs (Learning in NGOs) is a not-for-profit consortium of more than 75 international humanitarian relief and development organizations.  LINGOs engages companies and associations working in the field of technology assisted learning, and they always look for volunteers.
• Global Giveback is another organization that is always looking for volunteers. To learn more and to get started, sign up for the Global Giveback Group on LinkedIn.

I’m sure there are many other organizations that are seeking volunteers. Simply spend time searching for them, explain who you are, and ask for projects. You can also consider contacting a university that has an instructional design or eLearning development program and see if they have or are aware of any volunteering or internship opportunities.

2. Develop a course – Another easy way to add a sample to your portfolio is to develop a course on any niche, and submit it to any ELearning provider. There are many eLearning providers that offer free courses and would be more than happy to have you donate your course to them. Some examples of these providers are ALISON, myLearningWorx, Carnegie Mellon University, and Udemy. By doing this, you will be able to showcase both your ability to design instructionally sound courses and to develop lessons using eLearning and graphic design tools.
3. Freelancing opportunities – Businesses and Organizations often outsource work to freelancers. Since your goal is to build a portfolio, look for something that you can do, and offer to do the job almost at no cost to the outsourcer. This will be a win-win situation. The outsourcer will not have to pay the fee he normally would for this service, and you will get a portfolio piece to showcase. Never offer to do anything you don’t know how to do as this may result in a bad review.
4. Create your own samples – As you play with eLearning software, build prototypes that you can include in your portfolio. If you come across a project you really like, try figuring out how it was built, and consider rebuilding it yourself. Remember, if you do not know how to do something, help is always available from community members as well as on forums, blogs, and LinkedIn groups.

In the next post, we will discuss items that need to go into your portfolio.