In K-12 education, a portfolio is a growing collection of student work that holds a student's learning journey. "It is a place to capture, share, reflect on, and showcase learning and achievements." (Kathleen Morris for EduBlogger).

There are different types of portfolios that can be used right from Kindergarten all the way through Gr. 8 and beyond. They vary in medium formats and in their contents.

Types:

• Digital/ePortfolios - a living collection of student work, hosted online

• Physical Portfolios - a growing collection of student's physical work housed in a portfolio system (binder, duotang, folder)

Style/Contents:

• Showcase - a collection of beautiful work

• Learning - a collection of work that documents learning in progress

• Assessment - a collection of work that demonstrates mastery of learning skills

• Hybrid - a combination of some of the above

Portfolios can contain and document student goals, growth, mastery of skills, beautiful work, and achievements.

Portfolios can be used both for short and long term goals. Portfolios could span something as a short as a learning unit, a school year or travel with a student throughout their educational career to highlight their learning journey.