Minnesota State Colleges and Universities has launched a groundbreaking technology system designed to enable Minnesota students, teachers and jobseekers to create their own Internet-based portfolios and showcase their achievements. The new eFolio Minnesota, at www.efoliominnesota.com, is the nation’s first statewide electronic portfolio system.
“With eFolio Minnesota, users can go beyond the traditional paper résumé and easily build a Web site that demonstrates their accomplishments using photos, video, audio and graphics,” said Linda Baer, senior vice chancellor for academic and student affairs for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
“Development of eFolio Minnesota fits our strategic plan and reflects our commitment to helping Minnesotans succeed in life and work,” said Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Chancellor James H. McCormick.
The system already is receiving national accolades from leading electronic portfolio experts.
“The Minnesota Portfolio project is one of the more innovative and unique efforts going on today,” said John Ittelson, a professor at California State University, Monterey Bay. “It stands out because of its ease of use and the universal access to those in the state of Minnesota.”
According to David G. Brown, vice president and dean at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., “Minnesota is leading the world in the electronic portfolio movement. They are the pioneers.”
Baer called eFolio Minnesota an ideal career and educational development tool for students and jobseekers, because it allows them to organize and store their achievements and demonstrate their success to prospective employers and educational institutions.
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities developed the system with support from the Minnesota Department of Economic Security OneStop Service Center. Funding came from a U.S. Department of Education congressional award. The system is powered by Avenet (www.avenet.net), a Twin Cities-based technology firm.