Inside My ePortfolio Build

When I made the decision to build my ePortfolio on Wix, I genuinely thought it would be a simple transition. I’ve always considered myself tech-savvy, I troubleshoot LMS issues, install software for teachers, train campuses on VR and interactive boards, and manage professional development systems. So moving from Google Sites to Wix felt like the natural next step. But building a professional ePortfolio that represents all sides of my work and my Applied Digital Learning journey quickly became more complex than I expected.

Why I Chose Wix

I originally chose Wix because it felt intuitive, very similar in ease to Google Sites, but much more polished and customizable. When I first opened the editor, it honestly felt fun. I picked a clean layout, uploaded a professional photo, added headings, and thought, “Oh, I’ve got this.”

Then… reality set in.

Once I began adding my Applied Digital Learning assignments, Innovation Plan sections, literature review documents, leadership artifacts, and all the blog content, it became clear that my original layout wasn’t going to hold everything I needed it to.

I found myself constantly reorganizing my pages, especially the Applied Digital Learning section. What started as one page turned into multiple subpages, and eventually… I realized I needed dropdown menus. And that’s when things got tricky.

The Moment Wix Became a Puzzle

Google Sites keeps things simple, which is good, but also limiting. Wix offers flexibility, which is also good, but that flexibility means YOU have to make structural decisions.

Here are the challenges I ran into:

1. Dropdown menus were not as plug-and-play as I expected. I assumed I could click a button and magically generate a polished dropdown. Instead, I found myself manually creating subpages, linking them, reorganizing the site structure, and adjusting the navigation bar multiple times to keep it clean.

2. My Applied Digital Learning page became crowded, fast.

As I added:

• The Innovation Plan

• Literature Review

• Leadership Simulation

• Digital Tools exploration

• Weekly blog posts…it felt like everything was piling on top of everything else.

I had to step back and redesign the entire structure, so it made sense for readers, not just for me.

What Helped Me Stay Sane

Even with the frustrations, I found strategies that helped tremendously:

✔ Start with a skeleton, not a masterpiece.

Creating placeholder pages first kept me from getting overwhelmed when content started pouring in.

✔ Use a “content bank” to avoid rewriting everything.

I kept a document full of:

• Discussions

• APA references

• Content images

This made adding content smooth and intentional.

✔ Think like a visitor, not the designer.

If someone clicked “Applied Digital Learning,” would they know where to go next? Could they navigate the Innovation Plan without scrolling forever?

This mindset helped me clean up my menu and reorganize my pages into a logical flow.

✔ Keep your design rules simple.

Two fonts. Three colors. Consistent section spacing. That alone made the site feel cohesive, even when I was juggling multiple content types.

The Frustrations I’m Still Working Through

I’m still learning:

• How to keep the navigation clean as more content is added

• How to maintain visual consistency across pages

• How to optimize layout when assignments require embedded documents, videos, or slides

• How to balance detail without overcrowding pages

Wix is powerful, but with great power comes… a lot of tweaking.

What I Am MOST Proud Of

Despite the learning curve, I’m proud that my ePortfolio truly reflects who I am:

• A graduate student pushing myself outside my comfort zone

• A leader learning balance of leadership styles

• A creator who wants teachers and principals to see what tech can unlock for learners

• An advocate for incarcerated adult learners and their access to meaningful innovation

Seeing my Innovation Plan and leadership artifacts together in one place gave me clarity about my professional identity. It reminded me that what I do matters, and that this portfolio isn’t just an assignment. It’s a representation of my impact, my growth, and my voice.

References

Harapnuik, D. (2016). Creating significant learning environments. https://www.harapnuik.org

Weimer, M. (2013). Learner-centered teaching: Five key changes to practice. Jossey-Bass.

Wix. (2024). Create your professional online presence. https://www.wix.com