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A case study on the successes and difficulties of running an online e-portfolio support site for digital media students

  • Research Paper
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The Computer Games Journal

Abstract

This paper reports on the authors’ experience of running a targeted online e-portfolios and social networking website. The aims of this website were to provide a public platform for students and recent graduates to build and display e-portfolios, and showcase their skills and achievements to employers, specifically in the computer games and digital media industries. It was anticipated that students and graduates would use the service to build their online profiles; and employers and managers in industry would advertise jobs, communicate with job-seekers, and even recruit them through the website. Competitions and other career-focused events were also hosted or proposed through the website. Despite repeated provision of a wide range of information and encouragement provided to the network’s members, it was observed that few members either actively used the service, or participated in or actively supported its many career-focused events and projects. However, the website did encourage some students and recent graduates to build strong e-portfolios. Those members produced and documented their own games and digital artwork; applied for industry placements and jobs; and in some cases established their own new start-up studios.

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Williamson Smith, M., Sutherland, J. & Sutherland, M. A case study on the successes and difficulties of running an online e-portfolio support site for digital media students. Comput Game J 1, 51–70 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392328

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03392328

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