In ePortfolio, how do I create a matrix?

A matrix is a highly customizable structure for gathering, organizing, connecting, and presenting materials. Matrices are commonly used to guide students through a series of related portfolio activities. They can be as simple or as complex as the owner makes them. In following the instructions below, keep in mind that many of the choices are optional, and that you can go back and change the structure of the matrix up until the time you publish it. Once the matrix is published, you can add, rename, and move columns and rows, but you cannot delete them.

1. From the menubar in your ePortfolio site, choose Matrices.
   
   
2. From the Manage Matrices page, choose Add.
   
   
3. Give your matrix a title (required), and add a description if you wish.
   
   
4. In the Colors and Style area, if you want to use a custom style sheet (a .css file), you can upload and/or select it. You can also choose different colors for matrix status, but it is recommended that matrix status colors remain consistent for the institution.
   
   
5. In the Structure area, add at least one column and one row. Click Add Column or Add Row.
   
   
6. In the page that opens, give your row or column a name and define background and font colors if you wish.
   
   
7. Continue to add columns and rows until you have the structure you want for your matrix. You can add, move, or edit your rows and columns any time before you publish your matrix.
   
   
8. Use the radio buttons in the Progression area to define a progression for your matrix. The progression determines which cells have the ready status and which are locked. (For instance, with horizontal progression, the cells in the first column are ready to accept input and the columns to the right are locked. As soon as a cell is submitted, the cell to its immediate right changes from locked to ready.) Choose from None, Horizontal, Vertical, Open, or Determined by Instructor.
   
   
9. If you don't want to set default settings for forms, feedback, and evaluators, skip to the last step. Steps 10-15 allow you to set default forms for use in all cells of the current matrix in the Participant Forms, Feedback, and Evaluation areas of the page. Once the defaults are defined, you can override them in individual cells by disabling the forms or selecting different ones. All forms are optional.
   
   
10. In the Participant Forms area, from the drop-down menu, select a Custom Form if you wish, and click Add (custom forms are typically used to collect structured data from participants). Then, if participants will be expected to write reflections in most or all cells, select a Reflection form from the drop-down menu.
    
    
11. In the Feedback area, choose a Feedback form from the drop-down menu if you want reviewers to be able to provide formative feedback on the content of the cell.
    
    
12. To assign reviewers to give formative feedback, click Add Reviewers.
    
    
    1. On the page that opens, you can assign reviewers by name or role.
    2. Click the name or role you wish to add, and then click Add. You can use the Shift or Ctrl keys to add multiple names or roles.
    3. Click Save to save your choices and return to the Add Matrix page.
    
    
13. By clicking Allow participant to send feedback invitations to additional reviewers, you give participants the option of inviting feedback from reviewers of their choice. This option is also available in each matrix cell.
    
    
14. In the Evaluation area, from the drop-down menu, select an evaluation form if you want designated evaluators to provide summative, formal feedback.
    
    
15. To assign evaluators to provide summative feedback, click Add Evaluators.
    
    
    1. On the page that opens, you can assign evaluators by name or role.
    2. Click the name or role you wish to add, and then click Add. You can use the Shift or Ctrl keys to add multiple names or roles.
    3. Click Save to save your choices and return to the Add Matrix page.
    
    
16. When you are finished, click Create Matrix to create the matrix and return to the Manage Matrices page.

Once you have created this scaffolding for your matrix, you are ready to add specific guidance and forms to individual matrix cells. For detailed instructions, see Adding or revising the guidance, forms, reviewers, and evaluators in a matrix cell.

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