Finishing a Comprehensive Portfolio

When I first started this comprehensive portfolio process, I did not foresee the end. I entered into the process with a quasi-outline based on my review of the Joint PhD handbook. I compared this outline to some of the completed portfolios available from others in the Joint PhD program. I selected a few that appeared to have a relevant connection to my topic, my research framework, or just sounded interesting. With this information, I laid out a draft table of contents (as seen on the Beginning a Comprehensive Portfolio blog post). Then I connected this to the calendar, working backwards from the intended completion date of April 3oth. I planned for the inevitable editing and citation checking work that is always required in the end, setting aside two weeks for this part of the process. So my ‘soft completion’ date was April 15th. Each chunk of the portfolio was given two weeks, with some flexibility built into the schedule for other commitments like teaching the online course. Even the emerging pandemic and ‘stay at home’ orders could not deter me from the plan and pathway laid out.

Now, that it is finished, I can look back over the process and reflect on the personal accomplishment inherent in this completed portfolio. Not only have I acquired skills in structuring an academic publication using Scalar as the medium of presentation, I have mirrored that composition with one that is more traditional in look and feel, and can be transitioned to a PDF static document for final submission as required by the program.

Here, as I ‘stand’ in the center of the Joint PhD program, and metaphorically in the center of the labyrinth, I can take a moment to look back at the iterations and revisions – particularly in the table of contents and the schedules that I laid out for myself. These alone are evidence of my ability to complete a research project, IMHO. Yet, time will tell.

Here is the final version of the table of contents and the link to my comprehensive portfolio – Into the Labyrinth: A PhD Comprehensive Portfolio as well as a video outlining some tips for navigating the Scalar document.

1. Personal Introduction
   • My Media Making Spaces
   • Learning Experiences
2. Welcome to the Labyrinth
   • Labyrinth Navigation
   • Labyrinth as metaphor
   • Labyrinth explored
   • Labyrinth construction
3. Step By Step: The Path is Made By Walking
   • Academic growth through the courses
     • Doctoral Seminar 1
     • Cognition and Learning
     • Self Directed Study
     • Doctoral Seminar 2
     • Research Colloquium
   • Scholarly Tasks
     • Publications
     • Conference Contributions
     • Funding Applications
       • Teaching as a Scholarly Task
       • Service to Lakehead University
       • Membership and Volunteer Service
4. The Centre of the Labyrinth
   • Literature Review
     • Purpose and Rationale
     • Research Questions
     • Researcher Positionality
     • Literacy
       • Media Literacy
       • Digital Literacy
       • Literacies: Untangling a Concept
     • Open Education
       • OER: Open Resources
       • OEP: Open Pedagogy
       • OEPr: Open Practices
     • Teacher Education
   • Research Frameworks
     • Theoretical Frameworks
     • Conceptual Frameworks
       • Methodology
       • Method
       • Validity = Credibility + Trustworthiness
       • Ethics
   • Alternative Dissertation Format
5. Conclusion
   • Comprehensive Portfolio Presentation 
6. References
7. Supporting Documentation
   • Appendix A: Scholarly Publications
   • Appendix B: Conference Contributions
   • Appendix C: Funding Applications
   • Appendix D: Teaching 
   • Appendix E: Service to the Lakehead University Community
   • Appendix F: Membership and Volunteer Service Work 
   • Appendix G: Curriculum Vitae
   • Appendix H: Glossary

Besides the Table of Contents there are suggested pathways to navigate this document that suggest linearity but do not constrain your reading experience. Notes have been inserted where any terminology or concepts may be new to the reader.

So, this is the finished versions … for now. Edits and revisions are ongoing and iterative.