Characteristics
of an Effective
Portfolio
Prepared By: Jasmin S. Hernandez
Portfolio
Portfolios are collections of student’s
work over time. It may be used for
evaluation of a student’s abilities and
improvement.
Characteristics of an Effective Portfolio
01
ative and
It must provide form
ities for
summative opportun
s progress.
monitoring student’
02
Portfolios must be
multidimensional
and reflect a
variety of artifacts.
Characteristics of an Effective Portfolio
03
sential
Reflections are an es
portfolio.
part of an effective
A Quality Reflection
must includes:
1. Insight on individual thinking
processes.
2. Metacognitive introspection.
3.Thoughts on problem solving
decision making skills.
4. Observations on strengths
and weaknesses.
Characteristics of an Effective Portfolio
04
early
Portfolios should cl
ctives
reflect learning obje
course
as identified in the
curriculum.
05
Provide evidence of
performance-based
learning
experiences as wel
l as
student’s understand
ing of
course specific know
ldege and
skills.
06
Avoid haphazard
collections without
purpose,
rationale, or justifica
tion.
Characteristics of an Effective Portfolio
07
Quality portfolios must contain
an element of self-assessment.
08
The evaluation criter
ia and
assessing the protfo
lio
contents must be cl
ear to both
the instructor and th
e students
prior to developing
the
portfolio.
Characteristics of an Effective Portfolio
09
ghlight
Portfolios should hi
ent’s
the depth of a stud
s.
knowledge and skill
10
Student’s must have
a degree
of freedom to expres
s their
own individuality an
d personal
strengths.
Tips for Utilizing Portfolios as a Means of Classroom
Assessment
While instructors
provide the portfolio
guidelines and
requirements. the
student should
complete the bulk of
portfolio
development.
Items for inclusion in
the protfolio are
limited only by the
creativity and
ingenuity of the
student.
The reiterative nature
of portfolio
development can be
facilitated through
peer-reviews and
instructor student
dialogues
Tips for Utilizing Portfolios as a Means of Classroom
Assessment
Encourage students
to actively reflect on
their own work by
providing structured
guidelines for selfevaluation.
Keep portfolios in a
location that is easily
accessible to both
instructor and
students.
Provide clear
guidelines as well as
ongoing assistance in
portfolio
development.
Polakowski (1993) Portfolio Management Techniques
for instruction and individualized techniques
Teacher-directed
Timed centers through
which small groups of
students rotate for
equal amounts of time.
Child-directed
Timed centers that
children choose for the
allotted time.
Child-selected
Timed centers that
include some “must do”
tasks.
Characteristics of an Effective Portfolio
1. Directed toward a clearly defined
set of intended learning outcomes.
2. The methods and materials of
instruction are congruent with the
outcomes to be achieved.
3. The instruction is designed to fit
the characteristics and needs of the
students.
4. Instructional decisions are based
on information that is meaningful,
dependable, and relevant.
5. Students are periodically
informed concerning their learning
progress.
6. Remediation is provided for
students not achieving the intended
learning.
7. Instructional effectiveness is
periodically reviewed and the
intentended learning outcomes and
isntruction are modified as needed.
How can we know if
an assessment is
effective?
Assessment is most effective when:
01
Designed to
assess a clearly
defined set of
learning outcomes.
05
Provision is made for
giving the students
02
The nature and
function of the
03
04
The assessments are
Assessments provide
designed to fit the
information that is
assessments are
relevant student
meaningful,
congruent with the
characteristics and are
dependable, and
outcomes to be tested.
fair to everyone.
relevant.
06
05
Specific learning
weaknesses are
early feedback of
revealed by the
assessment results.
assessments results.
07
Assessements results provide
data that is useful for
evaluating the appropriateness
of the objectives and the
materials of instruction.