Portfolios:

1
Portfolios

• Making the Link Between Teaching, Learning, and
  Assessment

2
Outline

• Definition of student portfolios
  what are they,
  what do they include?
• Why students portfolios
  for
  what and for whom?
• Adapting portfolios
  types of
  portfolios
  incorporating technology
• Technology portfolios
  
• issues to consider
• General tips for success

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Definition Portfolio

• A highly selective collection of a students best
  and/or evolving work over time.
• samples compiled by the student
• chosen to illustrate/document
• Important aspects of learning
• placed in context by the student.

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Student portfolios include

• Work samples (artifacts) illustrating
  -accomplishment
  
  -development
  -integration of
  knowledge
• Memos to accompany/explain artifacts
  reflective memos
• framing statements
• context essays

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Student memos

• hold the portfolio together and place
• materials in context. Without this glue
• the portfolio is just a collection of stuff

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Possible Items

• Accomplishment
• mathematical proof, identification of
  chemical unknown, capstone research thesis,
  computer simulation, statistical analysis of
  data.
• Progress
• Comparison of 2 lab reports, 1st and final
  draft of term paper, sample of writing from 1st
  semester Vs. sample of writing from last semester
• Integration of Knowledge
• ecological impact statement, journal entries,
  e-mail exchanges on list-serve, case study
  analysis.

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Accomplishment

• Work sample computer simulation of genetic
  drift following environmental disruption in a
  plant community.
• Memo instructions choose a project youve
  completed this semester that exemplifies high
  qualitywork. What makes it so? What obstacles
  and challenges did you face as you worked to
  complete it? How did you overcome those
  obstacles? If you could redo this assignment
  what would you change?

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Progress

• Work sample 2 lab reportsthe first and final
  reports of a semester
• Memo instructions revisit your first lab report
• -how has your writing developed over the
  semester? What were you strong points when you
  entered the course? Your weak points? What steps
  did you take to improve? What were the two most
  important things you learned about lab write-ups?

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Integration of knowledge

• Sample senior research proposal
• Memo examine your research design in light of
  the experiences youve had both in and out of the
  engineering program. What classes have you drawn
  o to develop your project? To write the
  proposal? Where did you learn the techniques
  youll need to successfully complete your
  project? What do you expect will be the biggest
  stumbling block

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Why student portfolios

• Encourage/develop
• depth of understanding
• Reflective/analytical thinking
• Integration of knowledge/perspective
• Permanent / ongoing record

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Why student portfolios

• Teaching/learning tool for students faculty
• As an assessment tool
• student development
• teaching effectiveness
• program evaluation
• (e.g., accreditation, granting agencies)
• As a resource for students
• job search
• applications to grad / prof school

12
Some portfolio possibilities

• Adjustment/freshman year portfolio
• general
• introduction to the discipline / major
• Content specific portfolio
  individual course
• Capstone portfolios
• programmatic
• job search

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The role of technology

• for individual assignments/tasks.
• (computer simulations, on-line tab notebook,
  generation/manipulation of date)
• compiling / presenting the portfolio.
• (disk, CD, web-site)
• for assessment
• (record keeping / storage, easy distribution to
  readers, easy navigation, communication with
  students)

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Technology and portfoliosissues to consider

• What are the goals?
• Whats the time frame?
• How savvy are the students?
• Who has access?
• resources issues
• privacy and permission

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Tips for success

• Assign early
• Build in incentives
• Design assignments / entries to match class /
  programmatic goals
• Be specific in you expectations
• model entries, criteria for evaluation
• Build in milestones
• Be ready with technical support