In January I blogged about getting the process of updating my Senior CMALT Portfolio underway, and my intention was to blog monthly to share my process. Alas, we are not in late September and although I haven’t blogged or indeed progressed the task at hand, today I am doing both!
I have updated my portfolio AND am blogging about it, so YAY!
To recap, here is what I set out to do:
Updating my portfolio
ALT requires portfolios to be reviewed and updated every three years in order to maintain Senior Certified Member status and I am afraid my three years were up in late 2021. I applied for an extension (last year was manic for many reasons), and now I need to get underway with my review process.
I have had a look at the guidance first (I haven’t actually ever updated my portfolio before) and here is what I need to do:
First I am going to have a look at my original Senior CMALT portfolio. Then, I need to add the following sections:
- Summary of recent work/practice (500 words)
- Overview of CPD activities over the past 3 years, with 3 examples discussed and reflected on in greater depth
- Updated future plans (300 words)
- Updated Confirmation and date
At first I was not sure what I was going to use as examples of CPD activities over the past three years yet, but I once I reviewed my list of CPD activities, I found it easy to choose the examples.
You can have a look at my updated portfolio (which has been submitted for assessment).
Sign-posting updates
My portfolio is a Google doc and a number of related files, all shared by a folder. For the three year review I made a copy of my original document, re-named it and updated that.
To make it easier to assess, I highlighted the updated sections.
What I didn’t do
When I first submitted my Senior CMALT portfolio in 2018, it was an updated and expanded version of my original 2016 CMALT submission. It formed part of the pilot group for Senior CMALT.
In an ideal world, I would have liked to review and update/refine all aspects of my portfolio, including moving it over to a WordPress format, a task which I have been making little progress on for over four years.
On reflection however, I feel that I have done what the 3 year review process is designed to do and found it valuable to take stock of my development over the past 3-4 years.
I also find that the current format, the Google doc, really works well for me when it comes to making these updates. I am comfortable working in the format, so I don’t waste time fiddling with images or making it look more impressive.
As an assessor I see some beautifully presented portfolios, and I am always full of appreciation for professionals who can not only showcase their accomplishments and reflect on them, but to do so with real style! Kudos to you folk out there who create bespoke images, video and more.
Personally, having struggled to complete this task since September 2021, the thought of moving to a new format or doing a major update put me off. I am glad to have completed the required sections, which turned out to be fairly short at 500 words and 300 words and 3 examples of CPD.
If you are in the same boat as me and staring at the portfolio review deadline, good luck! You’ve got this 🙂