INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS A DIGITAL PORTFOLIO?
"The real value of an e-portfolio is in the reflection and learning that is documented therein, not just the collection of work."
- Helen C. Barrett 2011
A digital portfolio is a collection of digitized artifacts of the students work. It can range from writings to photos to videos. The possibilities are endless!
But a digital portfolio is not just about showcasing a student's work, it is as much about the process of building the portfolio as it is about the end product.
BUILDING & REFLECTING
Students become responsible for and actively engaged in their own learning as they build their own digital portfolio and make deeper connections to what they are learning and how they are learning. This happens through the ongoing processes of compiling and documenting their learning then reflecting on, critically assessing and organizing what they've learnt in a more personal way.
SHOWCASING ACHIEVEMENTS &
SETTING GOALS
By showing what a student has achieved to date, digital portfolios allows students, with the aid of their teacher, to set academic goals for what they hope to achieve next in the near or far future and shows just how attainable these goals are with the foundation of what they have already done.
COMMUNICATING & SHARING
Unlike traditional paper portfolios that are only showcased once it is complete to the satisfaction of the owner, digital portfolios are web-based and can be shared at any time with parents, teachers and other students for feedback.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF USING DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS?
FOR STUDENTS
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Becomes responsible and aware of their own learning through reflective process of critically thinking about and selecting artifacts for their portfolio
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Gains confidence by showcasing a student's achievement
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Is a student's communication tool of their learning to teachers, parents, and other students
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Is a constant and scaffolded support network for the student through comments and feedback from teachers, parents and peers.
FOR TEACHERS
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Allows teachers to formally and informally assess a student's learning
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Provides a concrete means of formative assessment
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Helps teachers better understand each student's learning so that they can better guide each student based on the student's strengths and weaknesses.
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Allows teachers to reflect on their own methods of instruction and assessment
FOR PARENTS
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Allows parents to immediately and constantly see their child's learning and achievements
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Allows parents to encourage and engage in their child's learning process
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A means to unite with the teacher to develop a positive support network at home as well as in the classroom and to obtain any remedial support while the learning is happening rather than at the end of the term
Digital portfolios promote student-centred, collaborative & distributed learning that are in-line with the world that students live and will eventually work in.
Follow the flow of the diagram below to discover
how a digital portfolio can work for your class!
Seesaw
TO SEE FOR YOURSELF, visit the Seesaw and freshgrade websites
FreshGrade