Portfolio AssessmentsBy Jasmine Brockhum

Based on Constructivist TheoryMeaning is created by the learner rather than being imposed or transmitted by direct instructionStudents are required to provide evidence to convince the teacher that the bestkind of learning in relation to the objectives has been achievedA move towards a more student-centered approach to assessmentPortfolio Assessment

Essential characteristics:Collection of work produced by the studentAssembled for a particular purposeIncludes students’ reflection on their work in relation to the achievement of objectivesPortfolio Assessment

Collection of work produced by the student

Assembled for a particular purpose

Includes students’ reflection on their work in relation to the achievement of objectives

Students’ responsibility is to:provide evidence that learning relevant to course objectives has taken place choose and justify the portfolio itemsprovide a holistic case of an integrated and usable body of knowledgePortfolio Assessment

provide evidence that learning relevant to

course objectives has taken place

choose and justify the portfolio items

provide a holistic case of an integrated and usable body of knowledge

Teachers’ responsibility is to:acquaint students with course objectivesprovide guidance for preparation of the portfolio e.g. philosophy of portfolio assessment implementation procedures examples of some possible portfolio itemsprovide on-going support and formative feedbackmake a holistic assessment of the portfolio provide feedbackPerformance Assessment

acquaint students with course objectives

provide guidance for preparation of the portfolio

provide on-going support and formative feedback

make a holistic assessment of the portfolio

provide feedback

Focus of evaluation of the portfolio:Relevance to the subject Accuracy against acceptable scholarly standardsCoverage of the subject content and objectivesMaking an integrated case or argument Is important to the students’ own academic / professional purposesPerformance Assessment

Relevance to the subject

Accuracy against acceptable scholarly standards

Coverage of the subject content and objectives

Making an integrated case or argument

Is important to the students’ own academic / professional purposes

Assessment includes the following aspects:Each item in its own right relevance, accuracy and qualityThe student’s justification of each item in relation to the objective(s) being addressedThe coherence of all the items in providing a holisticview on the subjectAn overall grade of the portfolioPortfolio Assessment

Each item in its own right

The student’s justification of each item

The coherence of all the items in providing a holisticview on the subject

An overall grade of the portfolio

Selection of Portfolio itemsBased on the subject objectivesAvoid repetitive items in terms of content and / or objective(s) being addressedSelect a balanced collection of items that address the full range of subject objectives, rather than focusing on excellence of any particular individualitemsPortfolio Assessment

Based on the subject objectives

Avoid repetitive items in terms of content and / or objective(s) being addressed

Select a balanced collection of items that address the full range of subject objectives, rather than focusing on excellence of any particular individual

Assessing Student Learning OutcomesAssessment should not be labeled as “good” or bad”, but rather “appropriate” or “inappropriate”. The important issue is how the assessment is designed and implemented to appropriately address the learning objectives