So, you want to start e-portfolios but you're not sure where to begin? Read on for some tips and tricks about what I have discovered through colleagues, research, and my own trial and error!
1- Determine your goal. What is the point of your portfolio? Look into the three types of portfolios (showcase, developmental, and assessment) and determine which is the best fit or if a hybrid makes the most sense for you.
2- Sell it! Get excited about this when you introduce it to your students. If possible, get former students who are enthusiastic about e-portfolios to talk to your students about expectations, anxieties, and how the e-portfolio has helped them build their resumes or attain employment.
3- Get students in the habit of "ARR"! For each item that is selected, students need to provide as Artifact, Rationale (why the piece was selected), and Reflection (What was challenging? Interesting? What would they do differently? How would they describe the artifact to someone who can't see it? etc.).
4- Provide a rubric. Ideally, this will be a formula or a drag and drop for the students to follow. Rubrics prevent e-portfolios from becoming haphazard and disorganized. Check this one out for ideas: http://www.mybigcampus.com/bundles/computer-literacy-portfolio-grade-8---51016
5- Allow for peer review. Students love to show off their work as well as have a chance to see others' portfolios! Provide a venue for peer review and require this several times per year to keep everyone on the same page.
6- Make a "Yes Test." Along the same idea as peer review, provide students with a list of required items and the words "Reflection" and "Rationale" after each item. Instead of evaluating the contents, students must have a peer complete the list by simply typing "Yes" or "No" for each component. Students will then have a list of anything that they may have overlooked putting in their portfolios.
7- Include multiple file types. Interesting e-portfolios have a multimedia aspect. Make sure there are audio and video components!
8- Get creative! Encourage students to reflect in creative ways, not just in writing. Draw, record, or video tape reflections. Let the teacher pick some artifacts but allow for student selections as well.
9- Make it relevant. To get students to put forth their best effort, demonstrate how these can be used as part of an academic profile, resume, or job/college application.
10- Make it collaborative! Have students work together on group portfolios or a class portfolio. Showcasing progress and exemplary work is fun to do as a group as well as individually!
E-portfolios are a rewarding and useful tools that demonstrate a more complete idea of what goes on in school than other assessments. Have fun creating and then showing off your creations to the school, parents, and community members!
