Portfolios Rock!

e-Portfolios

Electronic portfolios (e-Portfolios) are portfolios created with multi-media and other technology tools.  The traditional portfolio has been criticized for its time-consuming limitations and heavy focus on writing skills.  E-portfolios allow students to record not only written but also audio reflections and provide the teacher with an useful tool for monitoring progress.

Alternative assessment using portfolios to assess student progress became popular in the 1990s, however, the implementation process proved too time intensive for many schools striving to adapt to new standards, and high-stakes testing benchmarks.

RESEARCH SPECIFIC TO e-PORTFOLIOS

Becta released a study in 2007 involving eight case studies in the early stages of e-portfolio use from primary school to adult education. The report identified three distinct components of an e-portfolio system: the digital archive , tools to support different processes, and different presentation portfolios developed for different purposes and audiences.

Key findings included:

• e-portfolios benefit learning most effectively when considered as part of a joined-up teaching and learning approach, rather than as a discrete entity. The approach should include online repositories, planning and communication tools, and opportunities for both students and teachers to draw out and present e-portfolios at particular times and for particular purposes. There is then likely to be substantial impact on both learning processes and learning outcomes.
• e-portfolio processes support both social needs and curriculum outcomes
• e-portfolio processes and tools for organization and communication support the learning outcomes of students with a wide range of abilities
• e-portfolios make progress and attainment more obvious to both teachers and students, because viewing and revisiting the repository of work reveals development, achievements, strengths and weaknesses
• Some learners in all age ranges find that software that includes structured processes and organizational tools scaffolds their learning until they are confident enough to progress to working independently (Hartnell-Young,2007)

Fast forward to 2011: The widespread availability of technology and computer resources are allowing e-portfolios and traditional portfolios to make a comeback.  Educators understand the reality of using high-stakes tests as a measure for assessing teachers and students.  However, teachers and educational reformers are looking for additional ways to meet the standards and improve  test scores while also encouraging critical thinking skills and deeper understanding of concepts.

Below are resources for creating and utilizing e-portfolios in the classroom.  Also included are encouraging articles about successful integration of e-portfolios and honest looks at the challenges faced by teachers and schools.

Dr. Helen Barrett’s Electronic Portfolios and digital story-telling for life-long learning

e-Portfolios evolve thanks to Web 2.0 tools