Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Custom ePortfolio

Why use FrontPage to create our ePortfolios?

Microsoft FrontPage 2000 is the tool we are using to create our ePortfolios because:

1. It is an affordable program to load on every computer at Cascadia.

2. It has a familiar interface so it is easy to use.

3. It allows editing in a WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) format for beginners.

4. We can't teach everyone how to hand code HTML.

Where can I work on my ePortfolio?

All student computers at Cascadia have FrontPage 2000 software and can be used to work on your ePortfolio.

If you need to use PhotoShop or a scanner, go to the OLC (Room 060).

Can I work on my ePortfolio at home?

You can work on your ePortfolio at home if:

you have FrontPage 2000 on your home computer,
you can edit it directly Notepad if you know HTML,
you can edit it in another editing program if you don't use any proprietary coding, or
copy the Word files that contain the information on each page, edit the page in Word at home, then cut and paste the information back into FrontPage on a campus computer.

Design Issues

Why are the templates so plain?

The templates were created to give all students a starting point in creating their ePortfolio Web site.

The purpose of the ePortfolio is not to see who can design the best Web page, but to show instructors and potential employers how well you have learned the skills you have been taught, show examples of your work, and to explain what you learned during the process of an assignment.

Do I have to use Cascadia's template, graphics, and colors, or can I create my own design?

Please use the Home page (default.htm) page so it identifies your Cascadia Community College ePortfolio. After the home page, if you choose to use your own design you may do so as long as you include all of the components of the ePortfolio template.

Technical Issues

Help! I am a beginner at using computers. Where should I get extra help to get up to speed on basic computer skills.

1. Take basic computer classes:

Introduction to Keyboarding (BIT 150)
Windows Basic (BIT 152)
Intro to Computer Hardware (BIT 151)

2. Ask for help in Open Learning Center (Rm. 060)

What media should I use to make back-up copies of my ePortfolio?

Your ePortfolio Web site should fit on a floppy disk to begin with. As you add files, especially graphics, your ePortfolio Web may out grow the floppy and need to be stored on other media.

Floppy
1.44 MB

This is the most common media and can be used in any computer.

But, if a floppy is formatted as a MAC floppy, it can not be used in a PC.

Zip 250
250 MB

If you save your Web to a Zip 250 disk, you will need to have another Zip 250 drive at home in order to open your Zip disk.

If your Zip disk is formatted for a PC, then it can be shared between MAC and PC computers.

Zip 100
100 MB

If you save your Web to a Zip 100 disk, you can open and use the disk in either a Zip 250 or Zip 100 drive.

If your Zip disk is formatted for a PC, then it can be shared between MAC and PC computers.

CD-R
650 MB

CD-ROM (Recordable). If you save your work to a recordable CD-ROM you should be able to open your files on any computer with a CD-ROM drive.

But, you will not be able to record over the files you have already saved to your CD-R disk.

CD-RW
650 MB

CD-ROM (Rewriteable). If you save your work to a rewriteable CD-ROM you can only use those files on a CD-RW drive. It will not work in most common CD-ROM drives.

You can save over, delete, and edit files directly from a CD-RW. from a CD-RW drive.

An unformatted CD-RW requires formatting before you can use it. A part of the CD-RW will be usable within 5-10 minutes, but the full formatting process can take up to 1-2 hours.

http://freire.cascadia.ctc.edu/ePortfolioWeb/faq_custom.htm