Task #1 Portfolio Building in 327

One of the ways that we are all building our portfolios in 307 is through blogging and our projects. Completing the iWeb project gives us a hub, where different facets of our individual portfolios can be accessed…don’t fret if you haven’t established the links yet, neither have I.

Personally, the shift that I am becoming more and more aware of is looking at the world through the eyes of an English teacher. It is interesting and somewhat weird, but it seems with everything I hear, I am making connections to literacy, in both multi-media and print forms. I was getting gas the other day, women behind counter asked me what I do, and I told her that I am learning how to get kids to read and think more critically. While I was walking away, it just clicked…yeah that’s really what I am doing with my life! How cool is that? These are the first mental steps towards my professional life/goals…and I could not be more excited and scared.

However, regarding our course work, the definition of a shape-shifting portfolio, as drawn by Gee, is:
“collection of skills- for example, educational, social, service, and sports experiences and achievements that can be arranged and rearranged in order to define and redefine oneself as a certain kind of competent person” (114).

The skill of selling yourself on prior accomplishments and not words alone is exactly what Friedman was talking about when he was describing the future untouchables. The five distinct tables that Katie erected for her Open House graduation party, is a testament to her shape shifting ability (116,117) and this skill assures her any position she wants in the future job market. Clearly, she is a master of all Olympic events (referenced quote from Sperling, page 290 Friedman obscure yet fitting) and is ready to compete. Thomas and Mario, however, have the ability but want different things out of life…they measure success differently. Though this goes against the changing world, I found overtones of sadness in this article because happiness seems to be quantified financially. Oh well, could someone tell me who John Galt is anyway?