Making Meaning through Oral Portfolio Defenses: A Pilot Project

In this experience report, the authors argue that an oral defense of master's students' midpoint portfolios can prepare students to explain their work in job settings, build peer connections, and argue program value to students, administrators and employers. The literature reviews recommendations for assessment measures and notes how this revision process connects to the field's recommendations. The report notes that oral communication is rarely cited as an outcome of TPC curriculums but is valuable for professional development. The report describes the pilot testing process from two students' points of views and a reflection from the program director, citing additional potential values of Rose & Ponce's ‘Narrative Engineering for Technical Portfolios structure’, including use in a creative writing track. The benefits include building stronger presentation skills, increasing a sense of community among students, and improved programmatic justification to administrators.