A
Learning Portfolio is a self-directed, independent study of a subject that is
relevant to the staff member’s job requirements and/or duties. The topic of the portfolio is selected by the
staff member, in consultation with her/his supervisor, and completed within a
set time frame. The portfolios are an
excellent way for staff to acquire knowledge of subjects where there is no
formal course or ready made instruction available for the person to
learn/acquire knowledge on that subject.
Portfolios are also a great way for staff to study subjects that are
relevant to their specific duties or needs, or on topics which might not be of
interested to the staff as a whole.
The
Learning Portfolio Instructions document provides the information needed to
complete a Learning Portfolio. There are
two parts to the process, and signatures from the supervisor and staff
development coordinator are required for both.
Part 1 is a planning process.
Part 2 is a completion process that includes an Activities and Resources
Log. This study must be approved by the staff member’s supervisor and the staff
development coordinator of their library system
Although multiple Learning
Portfolios may be completed during the 5 year period, a maximum of 40 total
hours can be used, with a minimum of 1 hour and a maximum of 20 hours on any
single Learning Portfolio.
Completed portfolios will be posted
on the staff development coordinators wiki site, and will accessible by staff
statewide.
The Process:
- Staff
member decides on a topic and schedules a brief meeting with immediate
supervisor to determine if topic is appropriate and relevant to the staff
member’s responsibilities or areas of interest.
- If
topic is approved by supervisor, the staff member then completes the Learning
Portfolio Plan, following the instructions on form. The staff member then meets with the
supervisor to review the information and receive feedback from the
supervisor. Once the staff member and
supervisor agree on the project, the supervisor signs the form and then forwards
the paperwork to the Staff Development and Training Coordinator.
- The
SD&T Coordinator reviews the Portfolio Plan, and (if necessary) contacts
the staff member with questions or suggestions.
If revision is required, the forms will be returned to the staff member
and then re-submitted to SD&T. If
revision is not required, the SD&T Coordinator will sign the form and send
the original back to the staff member. A
copy of the paperwork will be retained in the SD&T files.
- Staff
member begins and completes the project according to the approved timeline.
- Staff
member meets with the supervisor to review completed project, and supervisor
signs the completion form. The staff member then creates the “Official Record
of Continuing Education Activity” form (CEU).
- The
signed form and supporting documents are sent to the SD&T Coordinator for
approval. If the Coordinator has
questions or concerns about the project, a meeting may be scheduled with the
staff member and/or supervisor. The
Coordinator signs the completion form and returns the signed original to the
staff member. A copy of the paperwork
will be retained in the SD&T files.
- The
staff member will include the title of the activity on the appropriate “Full
Record of Earned Continuing Education Units” form as part of the re-certification
paperwork.
Librarians
and library associates in Maryland can chose to create a Learning Portfolio as
an additional means of earning contact hours to meet their continuing education
requirements.
