Student Portfolios

Introduction

A student portfolio is a collection of products and processes selected and organized to highlight specific aspects of the portfolio creator and his or her work. What goes into the portfolio depends on its purpose and usually includes reflection on the materials included and the portfolio as a whole. Portfolios may be required for a course, a major, or a career goal. Electronic portfolios may contain photos, graphics, videos, written narratives and hypertext links to organize the material. The links below provide information on portfolio development and examples of student portfolios. The links in the section on electronic portfolios could prove useful to students as they develop their own portfolios.

An Introduction to Portfolios

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An Introduction to Electronic Portfolios

"Researching Electronic Portfolios and Learner Engagement," Helen C. Barrett (University of Alaska Anchorage), Research Project Director, the REFLECT Initiative. PDF/Adobe Acrobat.
This article gives an overview of electronic portfolios, their research and purposes.
http://electronicportfolios.com/reflect/whitepaper.pdf

“An Overview of E-Portfolios,” George Lorenzo and John Ittleson, edited by Diana Oblinger (EDUCAUSE Learning Initiative, E11 paper 1: 2005). PDF.
This report describes 3 types of e-portfolios: student e-portfolios; teaching e-portfolios for faculty; and institutional e-portfolios for department, program, and institutional accreditation processes. Summarizes key issues in portfolio development; discusses material for inclusion; reviews e-portfolio technology; and provides links to examples of e-portfolio initiatives.
http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/pdf/ELI3001.pdf

Electronic Portfolio Action and Communication (EPAC).
A free comprehensive resource for all issues related to ePortfolios. Provides online chats & discussions, and audio and video conferences discussing ePortfolio-related issues such as pedagogical approaches, assessment techniques, and best practices. Fosters networking and exchange of resources, including a long list of ePortfolio tools.
http://epac.pbworks.com

International Journal of ePortfolio (Virginia Tech Center for Instructional Development and Educational Research)
A new peer-reviewed open access e-journal on electronic portfolios: instructional issues, assessment, technology, book reviews, and more.
http://www.theijep.com/current.cfm

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Electronic Portfolios with Examples from Several Universities

Using Technology to Support Alternative Assessment and Electronic Portfolios, Helen C. Barrett (University of Alaska Anchorage).
A comprehensive site on alternative assessment and electronic portfolios. Includes a handbook, a tutorial for creating an e-portfolio, and links to numerous resources using e-portfolios for many purposes. Also includes links to electronic portfolio projects at many higher education institutions.
http://electronicportfolios.org/portfolios.html

My Learning and Class Portfolio, Gunter Krumme (University of Washington, Seattle).
Defines and describes a learning portfolio as an assessment method and a demonstration of accomplishments. Contains annotated links to numerous resources for electronic portfolio development.
http://faculty.washington.edu/krumme/students/portfolio.html

Web Portfolios: Enhancing the Coherence of Students' Careers (St. Olaf College, Center for Integrative Studies).
Contains information on how to develop a web portfolio and examples of student portfolios in their major.
http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/cis/web_portfolios.htm

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