Introduction to Using Portfolios in the Classroom

As recently as the early 1990s, portfolios began to appear in the classroom to support a variety of activities, from helping students and teachers set goals to helping teachers and administrators assess curriculum needs.

For many educators, the portfolio process offers a clear strategy for the achievement of important classroom objectives. According to accounts from both researchers and practitioners, portfolios can engage students in learning content, help students learn the skills of reflection and self-evaluation, document student learning in areas that do not lend themselves to traditional assessment, and facilitate communication with parents.

This practical guide provides a useful resource for educators who would like to begin using portfolios in the classroom. In a concise format, the authors examine the many uses of portfolios and offer guidance on strategies to increase the effectiveness of this process in assessment and instruction.