FrogFolio, an initiative of TCU’s Vision in Action: Academy of Tomorrow, is becoming a requirement in some courses to help students with career development.

The Board of Trustees approved a $547 million budget that supports the Academy Tomorrow in April 2014. Part of these funds went to the FrogFolio program.

“It’s a digital or online portfolio that allows you to reflect upon, document and creatively show your learning experiences throughout college,” said Dr. Daniel Terry, director of FrogFolio.

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Approximately 200 students created electronic portfolios in fall 2013. This served as a pilot program for FrogFolio, he said.

Terry added about 450 students enrolled in an course last fall where they were required to create an ePortfolio. FrogFolio is now a requirement in all of TCU’s core oral communications courses.

Almost half of the first-year students have an electronic portfolio.

“At this point, I think we are primarily focused on first-year students because we are fairly new with the program,” Terry said. “It’s the optimal time to introduce students to the program because they can add to it throughout their college career.”

Terry said professors utilize the program in their classrooms to encourage students to prepare for career development.

“Faculty from all different colleges and all different disciplines are starting to use portfolios in the classes they teach,” he said.

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First-year student and FrogFolio intern Samantha McHenry created her electronic portfolio while enrolled in art of the theatre.

“I was really excited because I thought of it as an online scrapbook and I spent a lot of time on it,” McHenry said. “During Christmas break, I received an email from FrogFolio inviting me to apply.”

There are 10 FrogFolio interns. These interns explain FrogFolio to classes, assist students and develop ideas for the program.

“I think these e-portfolios give students an extra edge when they apply for internships and jobs,” McHenry said. “So really, it’s beneficial for anyone who wants to go into anything.”

As the program expands, Terry said there will be additional university-program classes next fall that require completion of an online portfolio.

“Most of the students and faculty are aiming to come up with creative ways to introduce e-portfolios,” Terry said. “I think it’s a good teaching, showcase and learning tool.”

All students can create a FrogFolio account. Email [email protected] for more information.