Create Your Own Digital Portfolio: 22 Resources to Assist You and Your Students

Today's job market has shifted.  With computers, smartphones, the Internet and everything digital, you can now make your web presence known by creating digital portfolio. (Also known as e-Portfolio or electronic portfolio) Not sure what a digital portfolio is? Here's a great explanation and a list of resources to help you begin.


Build a Killer Online Portfolio in 9 Easy Steps- geared towards freelancers, teachers who are looking for a job can customize the steps; straight forward and to the point

Creating an Interactive Portfolio with Google Sites- developed by Helen C. Barrett, Ph.D

Digital Portfolio Template- PowerPoint presentation template from Microsoft

Digital Portfolios: Guidelines For Beginners- 67 page document

e-Portfolio Benefits and Resources- nice list of links on digital portfolios






Folio For Me- embed over 200 apps in your portfolio; control themes; supports 5 different language

FolioSpaces- free and premium versions available

Glogster- create an online visual presence





How to Create a Portfolio with Evernote- written by teacher Rob Van Nood

How to Create Your Digital Portfolio- from eHow

LiveBinders- create your own online 3-three binder; make it public or share with specific people

Portfoliogen- create your own webpage to show your digital portfolio; use to find a job or just share your work

Professional Educator Portfolio Articles- around a dozen listed

Sample VisualCV Portfolio- Instructional Technology Trainer Shelly Terrell





Teacher Ozge Karaoglu's Digital Portfolio- using Glogster  and Wikispaces

Three Ring- although labeled as "an app for teachers to create educational portfolios of student work", this app can also be used by teachers; just upload work; mobile and iPad app also available

VisualCV- Internet-based resume which can include charts, audio, video and images

Whatfolio- choose themes, fonts and add to social networks; mobile and tablet apps available

What is a Digital Portfolio?- simple explanation

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60 Websites on Colonial America: 1607-1776

I always enjoyed learning about early American history. It was one of those classes where I felt transported to another time where life was so different (yet simple) compared to today. This time in particular, 1607-1776, our nation was coming into its own, with the forming of the thirteen colonies and the eventual Declaration of Independence. If you teach this subject, I hope you'll find these resources helpful.

10 Interactive 13 Colonies Maps- from Mr. Nussbaum's site

13 Originals: Founding the American Colonies

A to Z Teacher Stuff- lesson plans and printables on colonial America

America During the Age of the Revolution- timeline covers 1764-1775

American Memory- photographs, manuscripts. rare books, maps, recorded sound and movies

The American Revolution- interactive lessons for K-8

American Revolution Resources- from the Library of Congress

The American Revolution and its Era- maps and charts of North America and the West Indies

The American Revolution Center- "a living memorial to the American Revolution and its enduring legacy."

American Revolution Crossword Puzzle- from New York Times Learning Network

American Revolution Timeline

America's Story- children's site from the Library of Congress

Archiving Early America- primary source materials include portraits from original newspapers, maps, writings, and music.

The Battle of Bunker Hill- Massachusetts Historical Society's web exhibition

Ben Franklin and His Inventions

Betsy Ross: Her Life-biography of the woman who sewed the American flag

Biographies of the Founding Fathers

The Boston Tea Party, 1773

Chart of the Thirteen Original Colonies- from About.com

Civil Rights News and Information- i.e. affirmative action, hate crimes, voting rights etc.

Colonial America Rare Maps Collection

Colonial America Resources- lessons and printables cover grades K-12

Colonial Currency

Colonial House- Behind the scenes of this PBS movie, with lesson plans, audio and video and a section of resources.

Colonial Life in Early America- from Kid info; covers clothing, currency, economy, education and much more

Colonial Newspapers

Colonial Williamsburg- official site

Colonization and Settlement- resources form the Library of Congress

Daily Life in the Colonies- from the PBS website, Liberty! The American Revolution.

The Declaration of Independence

Digital History- extensive site has multimedia, primary sources, historic newspapers, interactive time line and so much more!

Early America's Digital Archive- covers 1492-1820

Eyewitness to History -history through eyes of the ones who lived it


Fifty States- this site allows you to access the home page for each state, including the state bird, tree, flower, flag, car license plate and state song.

Historical Documents- University of Oklahoma College of Law's site contains documents from pre-colonial times to the present. Also has a guide to American flags.

History of Jamestown

Mapping Colonial New England: Looking at the Landscape- from NEH

The Mayflower Compact

Mayflower History- includes Pilgrim history, the Mayflower passenger list, Mayflower genealogy


NeoK12- quizzes and videos on the American Revolution

An Outline of American History- first chapter is on colonial America

Paul Revere Virtual Museum

Pilgrim Hall Museum- explains the Pilgrim story, including Thanksgiving

The Real Pocahontas- compares the real Pocahontas with the movie character

Revolutionary War Animated

Revolutionary War Biographies

The Road to Independence Simulation- webquest written by students

Salem Witch Hunt- interactive from National Geographic

Salem Witch Museum

Salem Witch Trials- biographical information

Salem Witch Trials-documents and participants

Teacher Guide to the American Colonies- TeAchnology's

TeacherVision- printables and lessons on colonial America; covers grades K-12

United States History Timeline- covers all years, including a timeline of the American Revolution

United States Newspapers- covers 1700s; from the Library of Congress collection

Virtual Jamestown-  ongoing teaching and learning project

Virtual Marching Tour of the American Revolution

What Do You Think Ben Meant?- words of wisdom from Ben Franklin

Witches and Witchcraft in New England and Salem- list of resources from About.com

Words and Deeds in American History- chronological listing

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33 Job Ideas for Tweens and Teens

The current job shortage has affected adults and young people alike. So many of my students wish to work but or either too young for working papers or the insurance company for a business requires a minimum age of 18.  What's a kid to do?

1. Advertise on Fiverr, where someone could pay $5.00 and up for a service of yours

2. Assist a senior citizen with their chores at home or away from home

3. Babysitting

4. Be a clown or other entertainment at a kid's birthday party

5. Bicycle repair 

6. Counselor-in-training at a day camp or sleep away camp

7. Create anime or cartoon books to sell

8. Dog walker

9. Fix computer problems

10. Have a bake sale

11. House cleaning

12. Messenger service

13. Mowing lawns

14. Newspaper delivery

15. Paint faces at a craft market or street fair

16. Photo restoration for friends and family

17. Photograph a kid's birthday party

18. Planting flowers

19. Put flyers on cars

20. Run errands for people

21. Shoveling snow

22. Sell bottled water at a little league game, race or marathon

23. Sell hand-made stuff on Etsy

24. Sell lemonade or iced tea

25. Take care of someone's dog or cat

26. Take an online survey and get paid cash-Cashcrate

27. Teach a musical instrument

28. Translate documents etc. (you have to be fluent in that language)

29. Tutor young kids

30. Wash cars

31. Wash windows

32. Work for a church or other group as a pianist

33. Write an article for  Ezine Articles  

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