Portfolio EssentialsWhat is a portfolio?

What might a portfolio look like?

Adapted from Approach to Portfolio Development, Mr. Patrick Dickson, Ph. Education at MSU

Consider This...

Think back over all the work you have done in classes you have had during the past few years. Think of all the papers and projects you've done in your classes... Anything... Such as book reflections, poems, artwork, essays, research papers, etc. Of all these things, think of one do you consider to be the one you feel proudest of having created or what you'd consider an example of your "finest" work. Please feel free to select something done at any time in your education... this year, last year, or whatever.

Purpose

Do you still have it?If your answer is “no”, you are not alone.What does this suggest about the purpose of that piece of work?What gives the work we do purpose?

Purpose

What is purpose?What is the difference between:

• a teacher giving work purpose and

• a student giving work purpose?

Portfolio

When students assign value and purpose to their work, it has meaning and is worth displaying.Such work is a reflection of the individual as it gives insight to the efforts and personality of the student.A portfolio is a collection of such valuable works with a focus on reflection and progress.

Portfolio

If you said “yes” I do still have that work, then you, also, are not alone.However, there are fewer of you.What did you do with it?

• Was it displayed somewhere (fridge, wall at school)?• How many people have seen it since you created it?

Portfolio

Shouldn’t everything we do have the same personal pride attached to it?How would you feel if your work was always on display?Can you think of a person/job whose work is always on display?

Portfolio

If there are countless jobs that demand such accountability, is it bad that education is so secretive?Creating a portfolio demands accountability and student responsibility for their personal academic achievement.It also portrays student personality, creativity, and progress.