FIG Program Overview (.ppt) The goals for GEN ST 199/the FIG program have been the same since its inception in 1987. The portfolio tool has provided a means to really focus on student reflection. FIG Portfolio 2002 Each portfolio section corresponds to a class session of GEN ST 199 that all the FIG Leaders facilitate. Looking at "Diversity", the portfolio picks up where the conversation in class left off, trying to push the conversation further. This was a good first run, which added structure and accountability and did help push conversations in class. Some students were frustrated because it felt repetitive or overkill, and portfolio served as a homework turn-in tool first and then as a portfolio second. FIG Portfolio 2003 This prompted changes for 2003 to emphasize the collect-reflect-present aspects of portfolio-building. The new project is less connected to week-by-week development of the GEN ST 199 course; students were required to turn in a portfolio rough draft mid-way through the quarter and a final at the end of the quarter. "Autumn Experiences" and "Autumn Classes" are good examples. All students are engaged in experiences inside and outside of class, and portfolio was intended to give them a structured way to think about those experiences. The Portfolio project culminated in an essay "Looking Back and Looking Forward". Overall, the "portfolio-ness" of the portfolio project was stronger, and more students are continuing to use portfolio as a result of this modeling. Kyle Sommer, FIG Leader FIG Student and FIG Leader Perspectives

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