My personal definition of a portfolio has changed throughout
the years, and this reflective blog has allowed me to assess my views of portfolios
and has given me the opportunity to gain knowledge about the purpose of a portfolio
and how it applies to education.
Throughout my education and professional career, I consider a portfolio
as a means of assessment OF learning (a checklist of objectives learned and
showcase of achievements). Sometimes it
is difficult for me to consider any other motivation for creating a portfolio because
as an art student, art major and teacher, a portfolio was a means to display my
best works and the works of my students. Barrett’s article discusses the principles of
Assessments for Learning (AFL) as being reflective, on-going, allowing feedback
and deeper understanding, and the ability to look ahead to future applications.
Perhaps if I had required my students to
critique and reflect on their artwork as well as the artwork of others, they
could have used the process more as an assessment FOR learning, instead of an
assessment OF learning.
Since I have been a librarian the past four years, I have
been in graduate courses that have required me to create a wiki, a website and
now a blog. Since this particular blog is meant for reflection, it becomes part
of my portfolio, and has allowed me to see the potential in technology such as
this. The word “portfolio” often
suggests extra work that is required for a grade, but as I complete this blog I
can see the formative assessment qualities that blogging and wikis can bring
such as collaboration, peer feedback and hyperlinking. If I was still teaching art, I would scan the
students’ artwork, and have them upload the pictures and then perhaps create a
wiki or blog to reflect on their learning.
The added value of these tools is that paper portfolios become
assessments FOR learning.
After reading the Barrett articles, I realize a greater significance
for keeping a digital portfolio--to show growth over time. Besides purposing an electronic portfolio for
assessment, marketing and employment, Barrett suggests an e-portfolio can “document
the learning process and growth for learners” (p. 438). To become a Texas certified librarian I will
have to successfully complete certain requirements such as completing a degree
plan and passing a certification test. What
my portfolio will provide is a deeper understanding and “richer picture” of personal
growth that high stakes testing cannot.
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