This activity provides you with a basic knowledge of what student portfolios are and how they are being used in schools today. To find the answers to the questions presented below you will need to access this internet site: http://www.adprima.com/student_portfolios.htm

Write your answers in short essay form in the spaces provided for each question>

1. What are portfolios?

2. Why try it?

3. How does it work?

4. Fill in the blanks to complete each of the statements below:

1. The _________________ in portfolios is built from class assignments and as such corresponds to the local classroom curriculum.

2. The __________________________________________________ may determine how portfolios are developed and used.

3. _____________________________________ also influence the structure and use of portfolios.

While the primary purpose of portfolios for most teachers is to ______________________________,

support good curricula and instruction, and _____________________________________________,

some portfolio programs are designed to serve other purposes as well.

4. Portfolios may also be used to compare _______________________ across classrooms or schools.

5. All portfolios&emdash;across these diverse curricular settings, __________________________________,

and administrative contexts&emdash;involve ___________________________________________________

so that they take charge of their personal collection of work, reflect on what makes some work better,

and use this information to make improvements in future work.

5. What does the research say? Fill in the blanks on the statements below:

1. Portfolios can provide _________________ for involving students in developing and understanding

_________________________________________, in coming to see the criteria as their own, and in

applying the criteria to ___________________________ and other students’ work.

2. Research also shows that students benefit from an awareness of the ______________________ and

_______________________ involved in writing, ______________________________________,

researching a topic, ________________________________________, or describing their own

observations.

6. What are the drawbacks?

Return to Digital Portfolios Curriculum Guide.