Portfolios in Education

PT3 — ITC

February 2004

Jim Lockard

Thanks to Lisa Mehlig

What is a Portfolio?

a collection of an individual’s work purposeful representative self-directed

exhibits individual’s “efforts, progress, and achievements” (Northwest Evaluation Association, 1990)

What is a Portfolio?

a collection of an individual’s work purposeful representative self-directed

exhibits individual’s “efforts, progress, and achievements” (Northwest Evaluation Association, 1990)

includes self-reflection

Purposes of Portfolios

Record-keeping Purpose = Organization and Storage Focus = preservation

e.g., anything of interest Unlimited flexibility

Purposes of Portfolios

Record-keepingRecord-keeping

Learning / instructional / developmental Purpose = Formative Focus = showing growth and development

e.g., assignment in (a) course(s)

Purposes of Portfolios

Record-keepingRecord-keepingLearning / instructional / developmentalLearning / instructional / developmentalAssessment Purpose = Summative Focus = demonstrating level of mastery

e.g., end of term / grade / school,graduation “comprehensive”

Purposes of Portfolios

Record-keepingRecord-keepingLearning / instructional / developmentalLearning / instructional / developmentalAssessmentAssessmentShowcase / marketing / employment seeking Purpose = Promotion Focus is on presenting “best”

e.g., competitions, job hunting An NIU example – Amie Foster

Benefits of PortfoliosMuch more comprehensive Process AND Product

Much more authentic Nearly any experience

Multi-dimensional Not just one snapshot Not just one time Not just one effort

Benefits of PortfoliosA better picture of the owner / producer Effort Progress Improvement Achievement

Student Portfolios

Selective

Reflective

Collaborative

Developmental

Demonstrative (beyond “knowing”)

Challenging

Appealing

A process, not just a project

Traditional Portfolios

“Physical” portfolios

Largely paper-based

Store in binders, file cases, etc. Storage quickly disappears (KY)

Organized by tabs or section dividers Table of Contents at the front

Traditional Portfolios

CHALLENGES

Duplication cumbersome & time consuming

Cost to duplicate and share (mail)

Potential for damage

How to cross-reference? Items may fit multiple categories

Maintenance / updating

Electronic Portfolios

“E-Portfolios” / EPs

Since early 1990s or before

Electronic contents = multimedia Not necessarily all digital All digital = Digital Portfolio = DP

Not just e-paper for real value Not multimedia show Not e-resume Not digital scrapbook

Why Should Students Do EP?

Preserve memories

Document competencies

Learn to be selective

Added meaning to work Don’t just toss

Build self-esteem / pride

See own accomplishments

Why EPs?

Foster active learning

Motivate students

Provide feedback (to student and about the learning environment)

Basis for discussion (student-teacher, teacher-parents, parent-student)

May show benchmark performance

Electronic Portfolios

Organizing framework

Artifacts support framework Make distinct from just collecting Deeper learning from reflection

Store digitally CD or Web site or DVD or …

Organized by “links” Table of Contents = “Menu”

Sample Portfolios

Portfolio Web Site

www.cedu.niu.edu/~lockard/ep

Click on Samples

Activity 1 – Review Samples

View at least 10 sample portfolios (link in BlackBoard)

Bookmark favorites In Word to save on H: drive?

Note the following about each: How organized Type of content (text, images, audio, etc.) Style of the presentation – plus / minus?

Time = ## minutes

Activity 1 – Discussion

Sample portfolios Organization Type of content (writings, images, audio, etc.) Style of the presentation – plus / minus?

Common threads?

What makes one “better?” “great?”

Issues Privacy?

Electronic Portfolios

UNIQUE BENEFITSOrganized by “links” Contents easily cross-referenced = key

Easily reproduced (disc) or shared (URL) Minimal cost except time

Easy to maintain / updateLess physical space

Electronic Portfolios

UNIQUE BENEFITSDurableCheap to mail (discs)Distribute free anywhere on WebPaper copies of items, if neededInclude color images, video, soundDemonstrate technology integration

Electronic Portfolios

CHALLENGES

Planning ahead Not just “courses” Capturing “experiences” over time Document with pictures (digital, 1-use), audio,

video (?)

Skills needed to produce (variable) Equipment volume is not critical Will discuss hardware needs later

Activity 2 – Locate Examples

Newer search engine links on the workshop web pageOn your own, locate multiple examples of portfolios in your content area. Use at least 3 engines to compare results.When you find an example, bookmark, then copy URL into a Word document Submit your file & I will compile into an

expanded list on the web page.

Time = ## minutes (if in class)

Activity 2 -- Discussion

Observations on search engines?

Observations on findings?

Stages of E-Portfolio Development

Use of Handout (pdf file)

Stage 1: Defining the Portfolio Context & Goals Purpose is key Audience STANDARDSSTANDARDS

or organizing framework Many exist ILS & many states

Barrett, 2000

Other Standards

INTASCInterstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortiumhttp://www.ccsso.org/intascst.html

NCATENational Council for Accreditation of Teacher Educationhttp://www.ncate.org

Activity 3 – Review Best

Review “best” sample portfolios Use your Bookmarks / Favorites to locate

Now note the following about them: Purpose Audience Organizing Framework = Standards?? Style of the presentation – appropriate?

Time = ## minutes

Activity 3 – Discussion

“Best” portfolios’ observations Purpose Audience Appropriateness

Organizing Framework Style of the presentation – plus / minus?

Common threads?

Other observations?

Stages of E-Portfolio Development

Stage 1: Defining the Portfolio Context & Goalso Purposeo Audienceo STANDARDS or organizing framework

(objectives, areas) Resources available (technology) Level of technology skill

Need vs Possess

Barrett, 2000

Software Tools for EPs (+/-)

See Barrett’s Tools Comparisons In BB-”Create Your Own”

1. Web pages (many development tools) Mozilla, DreamWeaver, FrontPage, many host services

2. MS Office – not so good for Web pages Word PowerPoint Excel / Access

3. Adobe AcrobatPDF filesWIN2PDF

Delivery Options +/-

CD-ROM

DVD

Web

Format stability over time?? Remember beta?

Impact of audience on format In school = all Parents = ?? Employers = ???

Activity 4 -- PlanningRead Barrett – “Strategic Questions”

Hardware mentioned is very dated, concepts OKIn groups (by teaching area)

Identify specific standards that you deal with What assignments or activities show them? What are the performance indicators? (What is good

work?) What would it take to create electronic artifacts from

the current approach? Consider the technology logistics issues including your knowledge / skills, support in the school, and student access.

Could approach change to yield electronic artifacts? What guidance can you provide on the reflection

aspect? Student only or teacher also? Appropriate storage medium?

Activity 4 -- DiscussionYour Observations

Specific standards that you deal with What assignments or activities show? What are the performance indicators of achievement? (What is

good work?) What would it take to create electronic artifacts from

the current approach? How could the approach be modified to yield electronic

artifacts? Reflection aspect? Student only? Teacher also? What storage medium seems to make sense?

Stages of E-Portfolio Development

Stage 2: The Working Portfolio Identify, collect and store

artifacts Document electronically (ToC) Produce abstract / summary

Organize artifacts to STANDARDS or objectives

Identify, collect, store style elements

Barrett, 2000; Galloway, 2001

Stages of E-Portfolio Development

Stage 3: The Reflective Portfolio Define/Re-define goals Select representative artifacts (rubric)

Address intended purpose of the portfolio Address the standards or objectives defining

portfolio Develop self-reflection components

Why this one? What does it show? Privacy of personal

Other reflections (teacher/peer)? Future goals!

Barrett, 2000

Stages of E-Portfolio Development

Stage 4: The Connected Portfolio Production Phase Organize selected, digital artifacts Create hyperlinks

Standards / Goals Artifacts Reflections

Exemplary model?

Barrett, 2000

Activity 5 -- Template

Based on Activity 4, design a draft template for an E-Portfolio for your curriculum area. What topics/themes/content will it include? How will it be organized? Don’t worry about the mechanics of creating

it, just the format and content.

Time = ## minutes

Activity 5 -- Discussion

A draft template for an E-Portfolio for your curriculum area. What areas will it include? How will it be organized?

Observations?

Stages of E-Portfolio Development

Barrett, 2000

STAGE 5: Presentation Store / “Publish” your

portfolio Share with intended

audience Revise from feedback

Suggested Readings

Resources in Blackboard Permission obtained from

source to post

Questions / Comments