Thinking like a web publisher

An overview of some terminology from the world of web publishing.

This micro-course is a primer in web publishing for educators, so the language I use will be specific to the culture and practice of the web. Coming from a background in art and design, I find terms like ‘portfolio’ and ‘gallery’ are very specific and can be interpreted online in various ways. The field of education (in which I am also a practitioner) has its own understanding of these words, particularly with our use of the ‘e-portfolio’. So I thought it would be helpful to outline a few definitions up front.

I find it interesting to consider the “affordances” of a thing. The quality or the property of an object that defines its possible uses or makes clear how it can or should be used. While a portfolio and gallery are similar in that they both contain and present media to an audience, they have different structures and purposes. For instance, a portfolio's contents can be shown sequentially, flipped through like a book, while in a gallery, you can observe much of the collection simultaneously.

I asked ChatGPT to explain the difference between a web portfolio and a web gallery and here is the output.

Web Portfolio:

• Purpose: A web portfolio is typically used by professionals to showcase their skills, experience, and accomplishments. It's common among artists, designers, photographers, writers, and other creatives, as well as professionals in various fields.
• Content: It includes work samples, case studies, testimonials, a resume, and possibly a blog. The focus is on demonstrating the creator's abilities and experience.
• Design: Portfolios are often carefully curated and organised to highlight the individual's best work and to tell a story about their career and skills. It's not just about showing what they've done, but also how and why.
• Audience: Targeted towards potential clients, employers, or anyone interested in hiring or working with the creator.

Web Gallery:

• Purpose: A web gallery is used to display collections of images, artworks, or other visual content. It's often used by artists, photographers, museums, and galleries.
• Content: Primarily consists of images or artworks, often with titles and descriptions. The focus is more on the individual pieces themselves rather than the creator's overall career or abilities.
• Design: Galleries are usually designed to emphasise the visual content, with minimal distractions. The layout can be simple, focusing on the aesthetics of the images.
• Audience: Aimed at a broader audience, including art enthusiasts, customers (in case of commercial galleries), or the general public.

For me, this resonates and is why I chose to share it here. In summary;

• A web portfolio is more about the individual or organization and their professional journey, showcasing various skills and accomplishments.
• A web gallery is about presenting a collection of visual works, focusing more on the individual pieces and their aesthetic value.

Does this help us create a learning activity using one of these web publishing approaches? In the next discussion activity, we will explore our educational use cases.