Lesson
Digital Portfolio Setup
Summary
A five-year plan means nothing if it's scattered across sticky notes and half-finished Google Docs. This lesson has students synthesize a week of self-discovery into their first official portfolio artifact and build the folder system that will house every project for the rest of the course.
Bellringer: The Biggest Realization
- Students write one sentence capturing their top takeaway from the week's self-discovery lessons
- Circulate to nudge students toward specificity, not generic statements
Activity: Personal Goals & Vision Statement
- Students draft Portfolio Artifact #1 — a S.M.A.R.T. career goal plus a 1-sentence vision statement
- Circulate to check that goals hit all 5 S.M.A.R.T. criteria with a real target date
Activity: Digital or Physical Portfolio Creation
- Walk through the standardized digital folder structure (5 unit subfolders) students will use throughout the course
- Show the physical binder alternative with tabbed dividers for students without reliable device access
Discussion: Peer Audit & Vision Share-Out
- Partners swap and audit each other's artifact for a complete SMART goal and correct file naming/location
- Call on 3–4 volunteers to read their vision statement aloud, highlighting alignment with prior-day values and work styles
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- What is your S.M.A.R.T. career goal and target date from Artifact #1?
- What folder location and file name did you use to save Artifact #1?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: The Biggest Realization |
|
| 15 min | Activity: Personal Goals & Vision Statement |
|
| 8 min | Activity: Digital or Physical Portfolio Creation |
|
| 12 min | Discussion: Peer Audit & Vision Share-Out |
|
| 5 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep
Artifact #1: Personal Goals & Vision Statement
Students will write a vision statement for their future career.
Class Presentation
Includes a 14-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 1: Self Discovery & Goals
Personal Values & Work-Life Balance
A high salary means nothing if the job violates what you actually care about. Explore the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic work values, then have students rank their own non-negotiables before testing them against real career trade-offs.
Mapping My Future
A vague dream like "work in healthcare" won't get anyone into a certification program. Specificity is what turns wishes into plans. This lesson teaches students the S.M.A.R.T. framework and has students transform their own post-secondary interests into one concrete, actionable career goal.
Digital Portfolio Setup
A five-year plan means nothing if it's scattered across sticky notes and half-finished Google Docs. This lesson has students synthesize a week of self-discovery into their first official portfolio artifact and build the folder system that will house every project for the rest of the course.
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