Purpose

Defining the goal of the learning ­portfolio is key for all of the stakeholders. Some learning portfolios may be more focused on the process of learning (snapshots of learning throughout the experience), product focused (finished pieces of work) or even a combination of both. Some schools may focus more on only student ­selected pieces or they may mandate teacher­ selected pieces or, again, somewhere along the continuum. To summarize one approach a school might take, a learning portfolio may be a process journal to reflect on the journey of learning through student ­selected pieces of work with reflections, with input and guidance from their teachers.

• Reflecting upon learning processes and outcomes.
• Organizing and presenting learning accomplishments.
• Developing self-assessment skills.
• Representing learning experiences.
• Developing multimedia skills.
• Creating electronic text for specific audiences.
• Learning how to use technology to support lifelong learning.
• Being shared easily and continuously edited.
• Connects parents to their child’s learning, providing them with frequent opportunities to see where their child may need to get support
• Student portfolios in digital format help students authentically learn important digital citizenship lessons

Through the process, students grow in:

• Creativity and Innovation
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
• Communication and Collaboration