Digital Portfolios
Click the here for a web tutorial on digital portfolios. What are Digital or Electronic Portfolios? How to Build a Portfolio: Digital or electronic portfolios are selective and purposeful collections of student work. Portfolios are records of learning, growth, and change on the part of the student. They provide meaningful documentation of students' abilities. Portfolios provide information to students, parents, teachers, and members of the community about what students have learned or are able to do. They represent a learning history. Portfolios bring together curriculum, instruction and assessment. Through the use of portfolios teachers and students can develop a shared understanding of what constitutes quality work. The main characteristics of a porfolio include:
Portfolios can be produced in both paper and digital formats. Several software programs make it easy to create digital portfolios. Suggested titles include: Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Word, Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Dreamweaver, Hyperstudio, and Adobe Acrobat.
The digital portfolio can be a "mini-documentary" for each student and burned to a CD-ROM. Using an "html" format eliminates searching for portfolio software. Anyone with limited computer skills can create a digital portfolio, but teachers would need to learn to use computer equipment, digital cameras, and scanners. It would be very helpful to team with a computer class instructor who could help you and the students work on the portfolios
- Student-centered
Use this checklist to help decide what to include in your portfolio. (PDF Document)
- Active learning
- Student responsibility
- Available to the community (school, parents, etc.)
- Showcase of work
- Reflective
Sample Portfolios: Using a template can be helpful and there are many available that you may adopt or adapt to your needs. Below are links to template resources and sample portfolios.
- Digital Porfolios in the Classroom ~ www.ettc.net/resources/digitalportfolios.htm
- "50 Good Reasons Why a High School Student should have a portfolio" ~ www.what-is-the-speed-of-light.com/webquests/high-school-portfolio-webquest.html
- Sample Projects ~ http://share1.esd105.wednet.edu/bishopcj/portfolios/Reference_Links.html
- Digital Portfolios ~ www2.mcdaniel.edu/its/digital_portfolios.htm
