Guidelines For successful Portfolio Implementation by Melissa Wood

Table of Contents I. Why Use Portfolio Assessment? II. What to Include III. Choosing Content IV. Types of Portfolios V. Scoring Portfolios VI. Technology Needed VII. Helpful Hints VIII. 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 Reflections Are 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 ios7.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 Showcase Focuses on student’s best and most representative work Most often seen at open houses and parent visitations

IV. Types of Portfolios Teacher-Student Portfolio Interactive portfolio Aids in teacher-student communication “Working portfolio”

IV. Types of Portfolios Teacher Alternative Assessment Portfolio All included items are scored, rated, ranked, or evaluated Teacher’s keep individual portfolios to use as an assessment tool RIC_Digests/ed html

V. Scoring Portfolios Look at portfolio’s content relative to course learning objectives Provide clear guidelines for students Use rubrics

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 Software Examples: Microsoft Word PowerPont Hyperstudio Netscape Composer Hardware Access to computers Storage Disks (CD or Floppy) Internet Access /resources/view/ces_res/225

VII. Helpful Hints Provide plenty of support and encouragement to students Devote class-time for: Student/teacher conferences Practicing reflection and self-assessment Portfolio preparation Give guiding feedback Provide follow-up Students can showcase their portfolios through an exhibit or at parent-teacher conferences

VII. Helpful Hints Carefully construct and distribute 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 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?