Pieces of Flair

Pieces of Flair are portfolio components that should add value, personality, and diversity to your portfolio. There are a few things to keep in mind about Pieces of Flair.

• Number of Pieces of Flair Required – Every portfolio is required to add a minimum of three Pieces of Flair to their portfolio before the end of the semester (not 15 or 37!). Please keep in mind that there is a level of effort and quality that we expect to accompany a Piece of Flair. You can read more about what does / can qualify in the final bullet point, below.
• How to Choose – Choose the Pieces of Flair that make the most sense for your portfolio, keeping in mind your intended audience and how you’ll want to use your portfolio after the end of this course. Do NOT simply choose to do the Pieces of Flair that look the easiest to complete. Please also keep in mind that your three Flair pages should be new creations, not something that already exists (e.g., an existing LinkedIn, blog, or About.Me online business card).
• Extra Credit is Available – Up to five extra points can be obtained in the course by making Pieces of Flair beyond the minimum number. Points awarded this way depend upon the number and quality of extra Pieces of Flair completed. If you complete extra Pieces of Flair, please post them to the same place in Flipgrid where you posted your third Piece of Flair (see below for link).
• Due Dates & Grading – We recommend the following timing to stay on track with Pieces of Flair. While there are not late penalties associated with Pieces of Flair, it is in your best interest to try to stick to this schedule in order to stay on pace to successfully complete the course. When you complete a Piece of Flair, you will let us (and your classmates!) know by posting to one of three special Flipgrids:
  
  • First Piece of Flair – Complete by the end of Module 5 – Post on this Flipgrid
  • Second Piece of Flair – Complete by the end of Module 8 – Post on this Flipgrid
  • Third Piece of Flair – Complete by the end of Module 11 – Post on this Flipgrid
  Like every Flipgrid posting, after you post your video reflection, make sure you reply to two others who have posted a piece of flair on the same Flipgrid.
• Pre-Approved Pieces of Flair vs. Making your Own – We have organized the Pieces of Flair into some broad categories. Make sure you scroll to see all the Pieces of Flair available to you, and click on the titles or icons to read more about the Piece of Flair and associated expectations.
  Please do not create your own Pieces of Flair without checking with us first! If you have a Piece of Flair in mind that’s not on the list, contact us using the link in the menu, and we’ll be happy to work with you.

Pre-approved Professional Presence Pieces of Flair

	Professional Online Identity – Unlike most social networks, LinkedIn is dedicated to the world of work. That doesn’t mean that you can’t post the results to your latest Buzzfeed quiz, but it will look a little bit out of place next to the job recommendations and professional advice that everyone else is posting. A carefully-crafted LinkedIn profile can serve as an easy way to connect with other professionals in your field and to let potential employers find and learn about you.
	Online Business Card – If LinkedIn is an online resumé, think of about.me as your online business card. This site allows you to craft a succinct, attractive, and memorable homepage that you can use to link to the rest of your Web presence.
	About Me Page – A well-crafted About Me page on your portfolio can give your readers a concise and clear image of who you are as a professional. This page can also allow you to show off your personal side, family, hobbies, or talents.
	Professional Biography – An professional biography is a short summary of your credentials, achievements, interests, and connection to a conference, publication, or other place where you or your work may be presented.
	Active Blog – Your professional presence could be strengthened by expressing your ideas with the world through a blog. Blogs do not need to be about one specific topic; they can be places to generate and share ideas, update others on accomplishments, and to keep track of attendance at conferences and professional development opportunities.

Pre-Approved Classroom Teaching and Practice Pieces of Flair

	Gallery of Student Work – Few things can tell your story as an educator better than the voices of your students as evidenced in their work. If you’re a classroom teacher, consider adding a gallery that showcases the work that your students do. This is one way your portfolio may help connect you to parents, fellow teachers, and even administrators.
	About My Classroom – Almost everyone will have an “About Me” page on their portfolio, but not everyone will have an “About My Classroom” page. Now is your chance to make one! The goal of this page is to convey to parents, fellow teachers, and prospective employers what your classroom looks like in theory and in practice.
	Teaching Philosophy – Developing a written teaching philosophy provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on your teaching values, beliefs, and goals. A teaching philosophy is a vehicle to communicate your educational beliefs and standards to a wider audience in a compelling manner.
	Gallery of Links – One of the ways you can be an effective teacher is to help direct students to high-quality resources to supplement their learning. In creating a gallery of links, you create a library of “teacher-approved” websites for your students (or their parents) to use for self-directed, lifelong learning.

Pre-Approved Employment / Career Seeking Pieces of Flair

	Cover Letter – A cover letter showcases your ability to communicate skill sets and experiences you have that qualify you for a certain job. Whether you are looking at a particular job or would just like to have a sample cover letter ready to be tweaked when another opportunity comes around, writing a cover letter is a good exercise that will allow you to apply for a job you have in mind or reflect on what jobs you might like to have in the future.
	Professional Development Transcript – If you work in education, you’ve likely participated in a variety of different programs and certifications through training days and choice learning. Since there is not always a convenient place to list these on your resumé, consider making a comprehensive document along the lines of the Annotated Transcript that lists and describes your additional achievements and qualifications.
	Badges – Mozilla Open Badges is a platform that offers a place to demonstrate technical (and other) skills in a single place. You may be interested in earning and displaying badges that serve as digital credentials for your real-world skills and achievements.