Virtual Portfolio Implementation Guide
Showcasing Student Growth and Career Readiness Through Digital Portfolios
Table of Contents
Lesson 1 – All About Me
Lesson 2 – Strengths
Lesson 3 – Goals and Preferences
Lesson 4 – Achievements, Experiences, and Highlights
Lesson 5 – Activities
Virtual Portfolio - Lesson 1 - All About Me
Instructional Targets:
Applied Studies: ENG-COMP: 2c, 2g, 3h; ENG-COMPOSE: 1b, 2a, 2c; ENG-DOCS: 1b, 2b,
4a; IND-PERS: 1b, 2g, 3d, 4g; IND-Social: 1d, 1e, 2e, 2h, 2i, 3d, 3g, 4a, 4b, 4c; IND-REC: 1c,
2a, 3a, 4a, 4c; EMPL-AWARE: 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2f, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4b; EMPL-SEEK: 1b, 2c, 3a,
3c; EMPL-ABILITY: 1b, 3d, 4f; EMP-ADVOC: 1a, 1b, 1d, 3e, 4a
Differentiated Tasks:
Level 3 Learning Goals:
• Give details about myself to others
• Communicate my favorite things and preferences
• Identify self-advocacy skills and communication preferences
Level 2 Learning Goals:
• Identify where I live and who I live with
• Identify favorite things
• Identify self-advocacy and communication with supports
Level 1 Learning Goals:
• Recall personal details with support
• Express self-advocacy with support
• Communicate preferences with support
Topic Connections:
Students explore and share personal information, build self-awareness, identify self-advocacy
traits, and express communication preferences.
Topic Words:
Interests, Traits, CommunicateTransition Words:
Self-Awareness, Self-Advocacy
Lesson at a Glance
Instructional Activities:
• Identify people I live with and favorite things
• Categorize self-advocacy
• Identify communication preferences
Materials and Resources:
• Digital Portfolio Template
• About Me Template
• How Do I Advocate for Myself
• My Communication Style
Additional Materials:
• Self Advocacy Video
• Sample Digital Portfolio
• Digital Cameras
• Chromebook/Laptop
Activity 1 - All About Me
Instructional Routine:
Introduce:
• Explain importance of sharing personal information with employers
• Review learning goal: “I will show self-advocacy skills by telling employers about me”
Model:
• Complete About Me template using think-aloud
• Watch Self Advocacy video
• Model advocacy and communication templates
• Demonstrate adding to digital portfolio
Provide Practice:
Level 3: Complete independently
Level 2: Complete with supports
Level 1: Complete with assistance using response mode
Review/Extend:
• Share portfolio details
• Encourage self-expression throughout the day
Check for Understanding:
Level 3: Independently explain personal information and needs
Level 2: Use words/symbols
Level 1: Use pictures/selections
Lesson 2 - Strengths
Instructional Targets:
Applied Studies: ENG-COMP: 2c, 2g, 3h; ENG-COMPOSE: 1b, 2a, 2c; ENG-DOCS: 1b, 2b,
4a; IND-PERS: 1b, 2g, 3d, 4g; IND-Social: 1d, 1e, 2e, 2h, 2i, 3d, 3g, 4a, 4b, 4c; IND-REC: 1c,
2a, 3a, 4a, 4c; EMPL-AWARE: 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2f, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4b; EMPL-SEEK: 1b, 2c, 3a,
3c; EMPL-ABILITY: 1b, 3d, 4f; EMP-ADVOC: 1a, 1b, 1d, 3e, 4a
Differentiated Tasks:
Level 3 Learning Goals:
• Identify positive work skills independently
• Identify skills done independently, with help, or to learn
Level 2 Learning Goals:
• Identify skills using words or pictures
Level 1 Learning Goals:
• Identify skills using preferred response mode
Topic Connections:
Identifying skills helps determine job fit, build confidence, and strengthen self-advocacy.
Topic Words:
Applications, Resume, Interview, Grooming, Schedule
Transition Words:
Self-Awareness, Self-Advocacy, Self-Efficacy
Lesson at a Glance
Instructional Activities:
• Learn about job skills
• Categorize skills
• Communicate skills
Materials and Resources:
• Positive Work Skills Survey
• Career readiness videos
Activity 1 - Strengths
Instructional Routine:
Introduce:
• Explain importance of sharing skills
• Review learning goal
Model:
• Watch videos (job application, resume, interview)
• Complete survey using think-aloud
• Add to digital portfolio
Provide Practice:
Level 3: Independent
Level 2: Supported
Level 1: Assisted
Review/Extend:
• Share strengths
• Reinforce skills
Check for Understanding:
Level 3: Independently explain skills
Level 2: Use words/symbols
Level 1: Use pictures
Lesson 3 - Goals & Preferences
Instructional Targets:
Applied Studies: ENG-COMP: 2c, 2g, 3h; ENG-COMPOSE: 1b, 2a, 2c; ENG-DOCS: 1b, 2b,
4a; IND-PERS: 1b, 2g, 3d, 4g; IND-Social: 1d, 1e, 2e, 2h, 2i, 3d, 3g, 4a, 4b, 4c; IND-REC: 1c,
2a, 3a, 4a, 4c; EMPL-AWARE: 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 2f, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, 4b; EMPL-SEEK: 1b, 2c, 3a,
3c; EMPL-ABILITY: 1b, 3d, 4f; EMP-ADVOC: 1a, 1b, 1d, 3e, 4a
Differentiated Tasks:
Level 3 Learning Goals:
• Identify goals, supports, and preferences independently
Level 2 Learning Goals:
• Identify using supports
Level 1 Learning Goals:
• Identify using response mode
Topic Connections:
Students set goals, identify supports, and determine work preferences.
Topic Words:
Work Environment, Goals, Learning Style
Transition Words:
Self-Advocacy, Work Accommodations, Goal Setting
Lesson at a Glance
Instructional Activities:
• Goal setting
• Identify accommodations
• Identify preferences
Materials:
• My Wish List
• Work Learning Style
• Work Environment Preferences
Activity 1 - Goals & Preferences
Instructional Routine:
Introduce:
• Explain importance of goals and accommodations
Model:
• Complete templates using think-aloud
• Add to portfolio
Provide Practice:
Level 3: Independent
Level 2: Supported
Level 1: Assisted
Review/Extend:
• Share goals and preferences
Check for Understanding:
Level 3: Independently explain
Level 2: Use words/symbols
Level 1: Use pictures
Lesson 4 - Achievements, Experiences, & Highlights
Instructional Targets:
(Same Applied Studies as above)
Differentiated Tasks:
Level 3: Identify achievements and experiences independently
Level 2: Identify with supports
Level 1: Identify using response mode
Topic Connections:
Reflecting on experiences builds self-awareness and supports planning.
Topic Words:
Achievements, Experiences, Interests
Transition Words:
Self-Awareness, Self-Determination
Lesson at a Glance
Instructional Activities:
• Identify achievements
• Recall experiences
• Identify preferences
Materials:
• Achievement Checklist
• Job Training Logs
Activity 1 - Achievements & Experiences
Instructional Routine:
Introduce:
• Explain importance of achievements
Model:
• Complete checklist
• Review experiences
• Add to portfolio
Provide Practice:
Level 3: Independent
Level 2: Supported
Level 1: Assisted
Review/Extend:
• Share achievements
Check for Understanding:
Level 3: Independently explain
Level 2: Use words/symbols
Level 1: Use pictures
Lesson 5 - Activities
Instructional Targets:
(Same Applied Studies as above)
Differentiated Tasks:
Level 3: Identify activity preferences independently
Level 2: Identify with supports
Level 1: Identify using response mode
Topic Connections:
Identifying activities supports independence and community engagement.
Topic Words:
Interests, Recreation, Leisure
Transition Words:
Self-Awareness, Community Living
Lesson at a Glance
Instructional Activities:
• Identify likes and dislikes
• Categorize activities
Materials:
• Likes and Dislikes tool
• Recreation Survey
Activity 1 - Activities
Instructional Routine:
Introduce:
• Explain importance of preferences
Model:
• Complete tools using think-aloud
• Add to portfolio
Provide Practice:
Level 3: Independent
Level 2: Supported
Level 1: Assisted
Review/Extend:
• Share preferences
Check for Understanding:
Level 3: Independently explain
Level 2: Use words/symbols
Level 1: Use pictures
Acknowledgements
We thank the following groups for their contributions:
• Partnership for People with Disabilities, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Supported in part by grant number 90DNCE0004-01-00, U.S. Administration for
Community Living
• Unique Learning System
• Everway