Teachers and Students’ Perceptions regarding Portfolio Assessment

Teachers and Students’ Perceptions regarding Portfolio Assessment

As one of the most powerful tools when implementing alternative assessment, without any doubt is the use of portfolios, which  is one of the largest and  useful instruments when evaluating the performance of our students throghout a period of time.

A portfolio, as a collection method of evidence (writing, reading and class materials) assembled and managed by a student by its own, usually shows demostrations of students' abilities and enhance opportunities for self-expression; which fosters intrinsic motivation, responsability and language ownership. it also promotes student-teacher interaction and as a student-centered device it encourages student to self assessment and develop some mental skills.

But the portfolios themselves are not easily applied when it come to classroom. It takes a total commitment from teachers who must make a very complete structural plan since the very beginning, agree with the students about what to include and what not to, devote plenty of time to check and correct and also open some discussion in class, all to guide the process of students record keeping.

In addition, students must also go with a large burden of responsibility as it is they who must make entries and keep their own records which involves the use of time and skills.

The point I am trying to reach is that due to the fact that portfolios usage as alternative ways of assessment, can be of great help but just if we know exactly how to use them (instructed teachers) and how to present them to students so that they will not grow weary and lose interest to do this hard work, that will be a great boost in assessing their  own learning process.

Here I submitted an interesting video which illustrates how can we easily assess portfolios in the classroom.

Portfolio Assessment