Guidelines

For successful Portfolio Implementation

byMelissa Wood

Table of Contents

I. Why Use Portfolio Assessment? II. What to IncludeIII. Choosing ContentIV. Types of Portfolios V. Scoring PortfoliosVI. Technology NeededVII. Helpful HintsVIII. Questions to Consider

I. Why Use Portfolio Assessment?

Matches assessment to teaching

Has clear goals

Gives a profile of learner abilities

Shows growth over time

Tool for assessing a variety of skills

Develops awareness of own learning

Develops social skills

I. Why Use Portfolio Assessment?

Develops independent and active learners

Can improve motivation for learning and thus achievement

Provides opportunity for student-teacher dialogue

II. What to Include

Cover letter – student introduction

Table of Contents

Entries – both required and student’s choice

Dates – to facilitate proof of growth over time

II. What to Include

ReflectionsAre used for formative/summative purposes

Make clear the processes of integration that have occurred during the learning process.

Describe:How student mastered material

Why the evidence demonstrates mastery

http://www.flaguide.org/cat/portfolios/portfolios7.htm

III. Choosing Content

Decide on a particular subject or subjects

Define clear goals and objectives

Make sure assessment is tied to instruction

Specify the amount of evidence to be included in the portfolio

IV. Types of Portfolios

ShowcaseFocuses on student’s best and most representative work

Most often seen at open houses and parent visitations

IV. Types of Portfolios

Teacher-Student PortfolioInteractive portfolio

Aids in teacher-student communication

“Working portfolio”

IV. Types of Portfolios

Teacher Alternative Assessment Portfolio

All included items are scored, rated, ranked, or evaluatedTeacher’s keep individual portfolios to use as an assessment tool

http://www.ericfacility.net/databases/ERIC_Digests/ed434802.html

V. Scoring Portfolios

Look at portfolio’s content relative to course learning objectives

Provide clear guidelines for students

Use rubrics http://rubistar.4teachers.org/index.php

V. Scoring Portfolios

Criteria for scoring:Completeness of Portfolio

Determine whether objectives have been met

Demonstration of skills/concepts

Self-Evaluation (Reflections)

Organizational Components

VI. Technology Needed

SoftwareExamples:

Microsoft WordPowerPontHyperstudioNetscape Composer

HardwareAccess to computersStorage Disks (CD or Floppy)

Internet Accesshttp://www.essentialschools.org/cs/resources/view/ces_res/225

VII. Helpful Hints

Provide plenty of support and encouragement to studentsDevote class-time for:

Student/teacher conferencesPracticing reflection and self-assessmentPortfolio preparation

Give guiding feedbackProvide follow-up

Students can showcase their portfolios through an exhibit or at parent-teacher conferences

VII. Helpful Hints

Carefully construct and distribute 12-25 overarching learning objectives for the course. Decide if a portfolio supports student learning and assessment for these objectives. Determine if the portfolio is primarily a learning activity or an assessment tool.

VIII. Questions to Consider

How often do you use the portfolio during the week?What responsibilities do the students have toward their portfolios?Was the portfolio used within or across subjects?What are some management issues – i.e. storage and format related to the use of the portfolio for assessment purposes

http://pareonline.net/getvn.asp?v=7&n=4

What hardware, software, and networking do we have? What will we need? Who are the primary users of the equipment? Who will support the system? http://www.essentialschools.org/cs/resources/view/ces_res/225