Pine Manor College's Portfolio Learning Program

At Pine Manor College, every student receives comprehensive advising through our Portfolio Learning Program. Each woman entering the College is assigned to a First Year Experience Seminar (FYES) of 12-15 students. Each FYES, led by faculty members and student life professionals with the assistance from peer mentors, meets regularly during the academic year. Students will then participate in a Portfolio Learning Seminar (PLS) during their second year. The primary purpose of the Portfolio Learning Program is to encourage students to become reflective, self-directed learners, as well as to help them understand and fulfill degree requirements through development of a personalized learning portfolio. A student's learning portfolio, through which she addresses the College's Learning Outcomes, will form the central focus of her educational experience at Pine Manor College. Presentation and submission of a "learning portfolio" is a graduation requirement for all Pine Manor College students. The portfolio contains evidence of and reflections upon student learning related to the general education outcomes and accomplishments within the major. Pine Manor College Learning Outcomes Outcome 1: Effective Communication The ability to communicate effectively in speech, in writing, and in visual images. Outcome 2: Information Literacy The ability to identify, access, evaluate and present information via electronic and print technology. Outcome 3: Computer Proficiency The ability to use common software applications. Outcome 4: Critical Thinking The ability to think in ways that encourage creative and effective problem- solving and sound judgment Outcome 5: Quantitative Reasoning The ability to use mathematical concepts and logic to analyze relationships, solve problems, and communicate. Outcome 6: Application of Knowledge The ability to recognize relationships between different areas of knowledge, and to connect theory and practice intellectually and in practical situations. Outcome 7: Effective Team and Inclusive Leadership Skills The ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a group, assuming leadership when appropriate and facilitating its appropriate assumption in others. Outcome 8: Multicultural Perspective An understanding of how race, class, ethnicity, culture and gender affect contemporary society. Outcome 9: Ethical Perspective The ability to understand and reflect upon ethically and socially responsible behavior. Outcome 10: Creativity and the Arts An understanding of the creative process through experiencing the arts. Outcome 11: Breadth of Knowledge of the Contemporary World and it Roots Familiarity with a range of perspectives (historical, economic, political, social, cultural, literary, scientific, etc.) useful for understanding the contemporary world and it roots. Outcome 12: Depth of Knowledge An in-depth understanding of a disciplinary or interdisciplinary field of study.