Nov 08 2006
Portfolio Assessment
Reasons for Using Portfolio Assessment
- Assesses writing after semester-long development
- Encourages student-management of revising and editing processes
- Supports student reflection on writing processes
Strategies for Implementing Portfolio Assessment
- Models
- Semester-long portfolio: Select x out of y projects for grading
- Extended project portfolio: Combine related projects as one unit/project
- Early introduction of requirements (handout from A Work in Progress)
- Draft due dates and integrated peer review
- Specific to certain assignments
- Open for student selection
- One-on-One or Small Group Conferences
- Clearly articulated evaluation criteria; rubrics
- Texts that support portfolio assessment
Pros/Cons of Portfolio Assessment
Pros
- Delays assessment until instructor has provided more direct instruction in writing
- Encourages self-reflection and self-assessment by students
- Supports reflection on the writing process (facilitating course objectives)
- Facilitates student management of a larger writing project
Cons
- Articulating mid-semester grade can be challenging
- Grading can be time-intensive at the end of the semester
Tags: feedback, portfolios, rubrics