What is it?

A portfolio or e-portfolio is an assembly of student work over a course or semester. A student’s portfolio is akin to a catalog of achievements and skills enabling them to demonstrate their experience and abilities. The most meaningful way to engage students in this is to have them select specific work with the goal of analyzing and reflecting on each. For example the instructor could require students to select the three best pieces and two weakest pieces of work over the semester, and comment on their choices and what they demonstrate of their learning. Additionally, in a course that has students developing multiple drafts or iterations of a work, students could be required to select the artifact that demonstrates the most tangible improvement (started off somewhat poorly and improved greatly) and comment on the process they undertook to improve.

Purpose: The purpose of a portfolio is to provide instructors and students the opportunity to oversee learning development and improvement over time. By generating a portfolio of work, students can review and reflect on their journey through the various course assignments. As an assessment tool, a portfolio can show abilities beyond grades. Taken further in today’s job market, the portfolio can be an essential tool for employers to see firsthand the achievements, experience, and relevant skills of potential candidates.

Skills Promoted

  • Self-regulation
  • Knowledge management
  • Self-assessment

Who's using it?

SALTISE community members who use this strategy and are willing to share advice and/or resources.

Institution Discipline Instructor Classroom settings

CÉGEP ANDRÉ-LAURENDEAU

Level: College

Chemistry - Organic

Caroline Cormier

Access to YouTube

Classroom size: 30-40

View resources used

Dawson

Level: College

Languages (Contemporary American Fiction)

Jeff Gandel

Computers / Internet access

Classroom size: 30-40

View resources used

Institution

CÉGEP ANDRÉ-LAURENDEAU

Level: College

Dawson

Level: College

Discipline

Chemistry - Organic

Languages (Contemporary American Fiction)

Instructor

Caroline Cormier

Jeff Gandel

Classroom settings

Access to YouTube

Classroom size: 30-40

View resources used

Computers / Internet access

Classroom size: 30-40

View resources used

Why use it?

Benefits
Challenges
Benefits

The benefit of a Portfolio is it can provide a collection of student work over time. This provides the opportunity for students and teachers to better assess progress and demonstrate achievements by containing in progress and finished work. It can be an effect way for students to monitor and appreciate their own progress over the course of their studies. A portfolio used for assessment puts students in the position to reflect and self-evaluate their work.

Challenges

It is important for teachers to define the purpose of the portfolio to students.  Parameters on what is acceptable work needs to be made clear. If not student contributions to their portfolios will not be the best reflection of their work. Some students may feel uncomfortable sharing work this way.

Helpful resources

References

Babcock, R. L. and Francis, R. W. (2018). Prior learning credit via portfolio: A case study of central Michigan University’s prior learning assessment program. PLA Inside Out: An International Journal on Theory, Research and Practice in Prior Learning Assessment..

Chang, C. C. (2001). A study on the evaluation and effectiveness analysis of web‐based learning portfolio (WBLP). British Journal of Educational Technology.

Cevik, A. A., Shaban, S., El Zubeir, M. and Abu-Zidan, F. M. (2018). The role of emergency medicine clerkship e-portfolio to monitor the learning experience of students in different settings: A prospective cohort study. International Journal of Emergency Medicine.

Clarke, J. L. and Boud, D. (2018). Refocusing portfolio assessment: Curating for feedback and portrayal. Innovations in Education and Teaching International.

Xiao, Y. A. N. G. and Hao, G. A. O. (2018). Teaching Business English course: Incorporating portfolio assessment-based blended learning and MOOC. Journal of Literature and Art Studies.

Zubizarreta, J. (2009). The learning portfolio: Reflective practice for improving student learning.. John Wiley & Sons.

Video

An example of an excellent ePortfolio  – Mark Morton, University of Waterloo.

An Introduction to the Learning Portfolio  – McMaster University, MacPherson Institute

ePortfolio Project – Mohawk College, Ontario

Learning Portfolio Showcase  – Helen Chen Stanford University, MacPherson Institute

What is an ePortfolio? – University of Derby

Websites

Learning Portfolio Resources – University of Utah

Steps to Creating a Portfolio – University of Maryland

Teaching Portfolios – University of Saskatchewan

To Learn More

For more reading resources go to Articles and Books