PSU - Creating your New ePortfolio Page

Summary

This article explains how to create a new ePortfolio page and use block options. It includes a thorough description of block types and configurations. This article will be helpful for PSU faculty interested in learning how to create a new ePortfolio page and use/understand different block options.

 

How-To

 

Instructions

Step 1 - Login to myPlymouth

Step 2 - In the MyLearning section in the left side column, click on Mahara (ePortfolio).  You will now be looking at your Mahara Dashboard Page. 

Step 3 - Click on Main Menu in the upper right side of the dashboard page.

Step 4 - Click on the down arrow next to Create title.

 

The Create section has seven sub-tabs but the first sub-tab is Pages/Collections. This is where you choose and arrange artifacts to create your ePortfolio Page.

 

Step 5 - Click Pages/Collections under the Create section.

Step 6 - If this is your first time in Mahara, you will see two default pages: The first is the Dashboard page. This is the homepage you land on when you first log in to Mahara. The second page is the Profile page. This is a public page. All of PSU community (faculty, alumni, administration, and students) can see when they click on your name or profile picture. Do not place your assignments on the Profile page!

Step 7 - Click the + Add button, on the upper right side of the screen, to create a new portfolio page. No one has access to this page unless you give them access or send them the secret URL corresponding to this portfolio page.

Step 8 - Select that Page button when asked to choose what you want to create.

Step 9 - The cursor will land on Page Title for the new portfolio page within the Settings page. Enter in the Title. The description is optional.

Step 10 - Scroll to the bottom of the page. Right above the save is the Layout option. This is skipped when creating a new page unless you do not like the default layout. The default layout is three columns each a third of the size of the page. If you want to change the layout to have different size columns or multiple rows. Click the "Layout". Select predefined layouts or click "Create custom layout". If you create your own custom layout, don't forget to click the "Create new layout" button on right. This will display your new layout as an option and select it for use. When done with your selection, click the Save button.

Step 11 - Click the Save button.

 

You will automatically be sent into Edit Mode so you can begin creating a new page. This is where you organize your artifacts within blocks. On the left side of the screen is a list of all the different kinds of block types. If a block type has a triangle on the lower right side, it means you can expand that block type for additional options.

 

Most block types have these similar configurations:

Step 12 - Block Title: Change the title of the block or to "no title" by deleting the existing title text. In some blocks, you need to click "Set a block title" under Block Title to change the title.

Step 13 - Files, Image, or Folders: Click on the title Image, Files, or Folders to open an upload window. Upload a file(s) from your computer. Once you select the file(s), the window will retract.

Step 14 - Retractable: Retract the block manually, automatically, or never (default). After you save your changes, test the retractable option by clicking the "Display Page" button under the page title. Click the Edit button on the upper right side of the screen to get back into "Edit" mode.

Step 15 - Save: Always save what you have changed by clicking the Save button at bottom of the screen.

Step 16 - You can edit each file by clicking the pencil icon to the right of the file name. This is where you can change the orientation for images, filenames, provide descriptions for images or files, and turn off comments, which makes the page look professional. Viewers can always leave feedback at the bottom of the page if you are wanting feedback. Click the Save Changes button when changes are completed for a file.

Step 17 - Click "Show Description" to ON, if you want to display any descriptions you added to images.

Step 18 - Setting up a block on your portfolio page. When you see your cursor turn into a cross-hairs symbol , you can drag and drop that block or block-type into an area on the page that appears with dash lines and is filled with a light color as the cursor hovers over the area. Something like this: . Once you drop the block, the block type configuration screen will open up. Or you can click on the block type and a window will open up to ask you where you want to position the block within a particular column. Click the "Add" button to complete the location and the block type configuration screen will open up. Most people prefer the drag and drop feature.

 

Block Types

1. Image: This is for displaying a single image block. Click the Check Mark button to select the single image you want to be displayed for viewers. Click the Save button to save your configuration.
2. Media contains six block options
   1. File(s) to download: Select as many files you would like to list for viewers to download by clicking the Check Mark next to each filename. On your e-portfolio, it lists the file icon, file name, date uploaded, and size of the file. If you entered a description for each file, that will display as well. Click the Save button to save your selection.
   2. Folder: Select a folder that you would like the contents displayed for viewers by clicking the Check Mark next to the folder name. Viewers are able to download any of the contents listed. On your e-portfolio, it lists the file icon, file name, and description if used. This has a cleaner look than the "File(s) to download" option. Click the Save button to save your configuration.
   3. Image Gallery: This is for displaying multiple images in one block. You can select via the "Image Selection", Display all images from a folder including images uploaded later, choosing multiple individual images or multiple images from an external gallery. Click the radio button next to the option you want under the "Image Selection" Title. You can also select display style. The options are either Thumbnails (Square - this is the default) or Slideshow (best option). Click the Save button to save your configuration.
   4. Embedded Media: Do NOT use this option. Instead, use External: External Media.
   5. PDF: This is for displaying a PDF file so viewers do not have to download a file and can view it right on your e-portfolio page. It only allows you to select one PDF file at a time. Click the Save button to save your configuration.
   6. Some HTML: We do not use this option often. You can use it to upload individual HTML pages, but not in order to upload a complete site.
3. Journals: It contains four block options that are Journal, Journal Entry, Recent Journal Entries, and Tagged Journal Entries. These are used to incorporate any journals or their entries from the Content: Journal sub-tab that you would like to display to viewers. After selecting your choice, click the "Save" button to save your configuration.
4. General contains seven-block options:
   1. Creative Commons license: Use this block if you have a Creative Commons license and want viewers to contact you regarding your license.
   2. Navigation: Use this block if you have an ePortfolio Collection (a number of pages under on title) you want viewers to see from this ePortfolio Page.
   3. Plans: Use this block to incorporate any plans you have stored in your content section.
   4. Recent Forum Posts: This is for displaying any recent forum posts you want to share on this ePortfolio page.
   5. Note: This is the most used of the General options. It used to be called Text Boxes and was showed at the beginning of the main block options. Use this block to write text, create links, insert pictures amongst the text, and other text type options. Make sure you turn the comments to Off and don't forget to click the Save button when done.
   6. Facebook Like: This is available if you want your viewers to be able to go to Facebook while viewing your ePortfolio page.
   7. Twitter Tweet: This is available if you want your viewers to be able to go to Tweet while viewing your ePortfolio page.
5. Personal Info contains five block options that are Profile Information, Social Media, My Entire Resume, One Resume Field, or LinkedIn Profile. These are used to incorporate any profile information you entered in your Content: Profile sub-tab that you would like to display to viewers. After selecting your choice, click the Save button to save your configuration.
6. External contains three block options:
   1. External Feed: Use this block to insert an RSS or ATOM feed.
   2. External Media: This is the most used out of the three blocks. This is how you insert a video or movie without using your file space. Copy the video's embedded code or URL and paste into the field titled "URL or embed code". Click the Save button to save your changes. You can use videos from YouTube, Kaltura, and Vimeo to name a few.
   3. Google Apps: This block is so you can embed Google slides, books, calendars, docs, and maps. Share the document to copy the shareable URL. Insert the embedded code or URL in the field titled "Embed code or URL". Click the Save button to save your changes.
7. Theme: This is not a block but a way to change the color of the background and text on your page. NOTE: Please remember that if you have a collection of pages, you must change each page's theme individually so they are consistent.

 

Outcome

Users should be able to create a new ePortfolio page and use/understand different block options

 

Need additional help?

Visit the Technology Help Desk to locate your local campus contact information or to submit an online technology support request.  For password issues you must call or visit the Help Desk in person.