Culinary students are required to create a marketable portfolio for a catering business while enrolled in CUL213 Buffet Catering. Students use buffet items from private and public luncheons in Regions Restaurant to build content for the portfolio. Students are challenged by the provision of details, professional appearance, and organization of a portfolio that can be potentially used for sales and marketing in a catering operation due to lack of overall experience in industry. In past semesters, students submitted their portfolios at the end of the course, with many misunderstanding the rubric/requirements, leading to a final grade that does not allow consideration /opportunity for improvement. For Spring 2015, the project was broken down into 2 phases, allowing students to submit their portfolios halfway through the course, and receive suggestions for improvement before final submittal at the end. Grades improved from an average 73.6% in Phase 1 to 87.4% in Phase 2. Students will be given the option of building this project into a website next semester as part of a larger resume project within the program.
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Comments
Update. The course content for Fall'15 has been revised to provide students with the option of building their portfolios using a variety of free on-line software (i.e. wix.com). In addition, they will be required to incorporate a resume into the website, with an option for networking links (linkedin, Twitter, etc.). Working with the Career and Transfer center, some class time will be used to work with students on developing the website, as well as teach resume writing skills focused toward the hospitatlity industry, providing students will a preliminary document to apply for employment upon graduation. I am keeping the option of a hard copy submission for students who prefer to use photographs / Powerpoint for their portfolio, versus on-line website.
Steve, The change to have the portfolio submitted twice so that there is time for revision is a great learning opportunity for the student. It also helps them with their career goals by having a more complete and improved portfolio by the end of the semester. Olga
Steve, I would maintain you closed the loop on this. You were dissatisfied with prior student submissions, you created an intervention, and you saw positive results. Well done, and I look forward to your results from this semester!
Update from my August post. Several students used the website option to develop there portfolios for this class and did a great job. Please take a look at the following links:
http://katherinebeattie62.wix.com/goodazfood
http://jos2253579.wix.com/eandjcatering
http://rosad04.wix.com/portfolio1
I love this idea! We have final portfolios in CPD 150, and I want to implement this idea into my classes. This is great way for students to continue to improve their final grade. Thank you for the idea Steve!