How to Do a Portfolio Assessment

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A portfolio offers an alternative form of assessment of students' capabilities independent of test-taking skills. A portfolio provides a clear view of the learning path that students have taken over time, while encouraging mastery of a body of knowledge and the skills needed to acquire it. Photographs and videotapes of presentations and activities, student and observer narratives, journal entries and project proposals should all be included in a portfolio.

Things You'll Need

  • Digital or throwaway camera
  • Video camera
  • Hanging file box and files
  • Dividers
  • Sticky note tabs Show More
Instructions

  1. Collect representative samples of students' work. These should include descriptions of projects, photos, observer and demonstrator narratives, journal entries and documentation of any self-exploratory activities, such as surveys and interest inventories. For example, a student who participates in a Young Eagles flight might include a photo of himself in the cockpit of the plane, as well as a journal entry describing the experience. The student might also include a videotaped interview between himself and the flight instructor. In the journal entry, the student would relate what was learned to other knowledge and skills already acquired, and state how the experience might be useful in the workplace or college.
  2. Sort out any duplicate entries. Do not include homework or seatwork designed for skill maintenance, such as worksheets. Stick to hands-on activities whenever possible, with the students responsible for explaining how the experience expanded their existing knowledge base. 
  3. Provide a checklist of skills applicable to each student's age, grade and ability level. Make the students responsible for choosing activities which will demonstrate acquisition and mastery of each skill.
  4. Assist with videotaping and photographing activities, such as when students hold interviews with one another or with members of the community. Encourage students to critique one another's work, being careful that their comments are designed to improve the quality of other students' documentation. 
  5. Provide plenty of time every class period to organize presentations. Encourage students to critique themselves and their peers as if they were interviewing for positions with a company.
  6. Provide opportunities to acquire skills not reflected by the chosen activities in the portfolio. Encourage students to step outside their comfort zones and challenge themselves to tackle complex physical tasks as well as engage in mental calisthenics.
  7. Create a scoring rubric that reflects the effort expended as well as the skills acquired.
Tips & Warnings

Photographing large, complex projects throughout the course of the activity will provide a much clearer idea what was learned.

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