PSU - Overview of the Important Portfolio Pages in Mahara

Summary

This article explains the important portfolio pages in Mahara. This article will be helpful to PSU faculty looking to better understand the portfolio pages in Mahara, along with the different security levels of the Profile and Portfolio page types.

Content

Dashboard Page

What is the Dashboard Page?

The Dashboard page is your landing page. There are five blocks on the left side of the screen:

  • Find improvements of the latest version
  • Knowledge Base
    • This is a help section where you can get assistance on using Mahara
  • Mahara Moodle Course
    • You can get step-by-step instructions on how to use Mahara in this course. The instructions are set up like a book with a table of contents.
  • Help Desk
    • If you have a question/issue and cannot find the answer using the Moodle Course or the Knowledge Base, you can contact the Help Desk.
  • Teacher Prep Programs

Profile Page

What is the Profile?

The Profile is your face to the rest of PSU and the world. You can include a brief introduction about yourself on your profile, letting the PSU community know who you are.

  • This is not where you put Porfolio assignments given to you by an instructor.
Who can view my Profile?

By default, all of PSU can view your profile, but no one outside of the PSU system can. You also have the option to make your profile public, which allows it to be indexed and cached by search engines (such as Google). Making your profile public makes it visible to people outside of the PSU system.

  • Note that if you choose to make your profile public and then make it private at a later time, the cached version may still be available online to anyone.
What should I include in my Profile?

You should include only a short, generic introduction on your Profile. You should not include any information that your would like to

What information does my Profile come pre-loaded with?

The Profile page comes pre-loaded with...

  • Your display name (or real name if you do not have a display name)
  • Your pages that are visible to people viewing your Profile
  • Your groups
  • Your friends
  • Your wall

Note: It is advised to not use your profile page as your portfolio as you cannot control who can look at the information on your Profile. At the minimum, everyone at PSU with an account on Mahara can view your Profile. At the maximum, everyone on the internet can view your Profile. Always remember to think about your personal security before releasing contact information on a page available to people whom you don't know.

Portfolio Pages

What is a Portfolio page?

A Portfolio page is a page where you can upload different kinds of content, such as text boxes, hyperlinks, PDF files, images, and videos. This is a type of ePortfolio.

Who can see my Portfolio page?

Portfolio pages are only viewable to you unless you share it. Portfolio pages have a greater amount of security than profile pages, and can therefore be filled with information you only want seen by specific people.

  • Even if someone is your Mahara "friend," they cannot view your portfolio unless you give them specific access.
  • You have high control over who can view your portfolio pages; therefore, these can be used for creating course content.
  • You can restrict access to a portfolio through username, group, or a "Secret URL" with a time limit.

Both Profile and Portfolio pages are edited the same way; both pages have the same capabilities.

Further Readings

Using the Profile and Profile Picture in Mahara

Mahara Official Documentation

Accessing Mahara

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. 

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