Mahara: MyPortfolio. Create content Build pages Share. A user guide for beginners. What is Mahara?

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1 Mahara: MyPortfolio A user guide for beginners What is Mahara? MyPortfolio is a web application that allows users to build a personal electronic portfolio. It can be used to create and store online content (e.g. files, journals, plans, CV, media and links etc.) that can then be arranged into online pages for others to view. Create content Build pages Share This Guide This guide will show you how to do some of the basic tasks in Mahara including managing files, using the Journal, Planning tool, and how to start creating pages using a range of content. You can work through the various activities in turn, or if you prefer, you can jump to page 6 to learn about creating pages. Page 1

2 Logging into Mahara Login to Mahara at mahara.warwick.ac.uk using your usual username and password. Getting Started Click on Content then > Profile. Check the information and consider providing a Display name Click Save profile Next you can select Profile pictures ; you can add an image by clicking on browse, choose your picture and then choose Upload. Click on the Files tab. The Files area is a repository for folders and files to use within your portfolio. The number of files you may upload into your files area is dependent on your file storage limit which is displayed in the quota box in the sidebar. To upload files, you can drag-and-drop them into the Drop files here to upload section of this page. You can also click on the Choose Files button to browse and upload files. Note: Holding Ctrl + clicking (PC), or Cmd + clicking (Mac), allows you to select multiple files Page 2

3 You can also use drag-and-drop to organise your files and folders. Click on the folder or file icons and drag and drop them to the new location. Page 3

4 The Journal The journal can be used to record a sequence of thoughts, experiences and reflections. The journal screen displays both draft and published entries. The draft entries appear above the published ones. A draft entry cannot be added to a page for others to see. Click New entry to post a new entry in your journal Give your entry a Title and add some content in the Entry box You have the option to give your entry some tags to improve its place in search results. You can also attach files. Checking the draft checkbox will see your entry saved but not published; this is unchecked by default. Users can comment on your journal entry unless you uncheck the box to set this otherwise. Click Save entry For more information on the journal (e.g. adding files & pictures) see here: Note: By default, you have one journal. If you would like to keep more than one journal, see Settings > General account options > Enable multiple journals Page 4

5 CV The CV section allows you to create an online curriculum vitae. Later you can choose to either publish your entire CV, or individual components of it, to your portfolio. None of the fields under Personal information are required. You can choose to include as much or as little information as you wish. For example the date of birth and gender fields are entirely optional and are not required. Plans Mahara Plans enable the user to create simple To-Do lists. A plan can consist of a range of different tasks, each with a different date associated with it. The sequence of event is: a. Create a New Plan b. Add New task c. Add further tasks as required Note you can edit and update tasks in a plan, and you can mark a task as complete. Notes Notes are created when you add a text box to a Mahara page. Although you can t create them in the Content section of Mahara, you can edit and delete them in this view. Page 5

6 What is a page? A page is a collection of resources that are presented together in one place which can be shared with other users. A page might take the form of a CV, reflective portfolio or a project presentation. Each Mahara user can create as many pages as they like. A page is created by adding a collection of blocks to an empty portfolio page. These blocks can include text, images, files, video, RSS feeds, journal entries and profile information. Once set up, the page can then be named and allocated its own access permissions from an individual user, groups and even to external parties (such as an employer). Example: A student could create a page (or collection of pages) as a response to an assignment and then share a view with their tutor, for assessment purposes. Creating a page Click on the Portfolio tab at the top of the screen. A series of sub-options appears. Now click on Pages. Click on the Create page button in the top right. Page 6

7 Naming and saving a page Give your page a title and a description. Then select the button that says save. The next page shows a range of icons and content block options Page 7

8 Adding content to a page Portfolio > Pages > Edit content Notice the submenu options -Text box; Image; Media; Journals; General; Personal Info; External Try adding a text box: a. Click on the Text box item and drag it onto the page area b. You can then add a block title and some text content c. Click on Save Your text block should appear in the page preview area You can go back and edit and update the content by using the configure icon Adding more content to a page Develop your page by expanding the Media section, and adding: a. File(s) to download b. Folder (you may need to create one first) c. A single image from your files area Add a journal entry to your page using the Journals section; you can choose to add an entire journal, single journal entry, recent journal entry or tagged entries only Expand the Personal info section and add your contact information and/or other information to your page. The option to add your entire CV, or sections from it, to the page is also in this section. Page 8

9 Adding external content to a page Portfolio > Pages > Edit content (In this example we will add a YouTube video) Expand the External section, then drag and drop the External media item onto your page. You can then paste the URL or the embed code from a range of services including: Youtube, Slideshare, Vimeo, Prezi etc If you know the size you want this to display at, then add the width and/or height attributes; otherwise click on Save and see how it looks. Optional: - Repeat this process to add another block using content from another site (e.g. Slideshare) - Consider adding an RSS feed using the External feed item. Always click on Done when you have finished editing your page. Editing the Layout You can edit the layout of your page by clicking on Edit layout tab. Here you can decide how you would like your page content to be presented. (The default layout is 3 columns of equal width). Optional: It may be useful to return to this page and experiment with these options later, once you have a greater volume of content to display. Note: When editing your pages you can move information blocks by clicking and dragging their title. Page 9

10 Feel free to browse and experiment with any other settings; use the guide below for further help and information. For further information please visit Page 10