Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
Web portfolio is presented metaphorically as two components: a file cabinet
and a briefcase, the file cabinet being a place for storage of work and the
briefcase being a place for presentation of work. The program neatly breaks
down a timeline of activities for the students to help them keep on track with
the Web portfolio development process through their college career. In
addition, the process makes the student practice Web portfolio development
activities from their freshmen year, it does not assume that Web portfolio skills
are need only in junior and senior years. I found this approach very thoughtful
in helping students succeed because it takes the somewhat takes the respon-
sibility out the students hands and transfers it to the university in making the
student portfolio an institutional learning objective with measurable outcomes.
Assessment
The portfolio has become a premier tool for assessment. Outcomes assess-
ments provide tangible evidence of student growth and learning. Many univer-
sities have adopted Web portfolio programs for the purpose of assessment.
Although the benefits of Web portfolios reach far beyond assessment, this use
is a good one because it forces people to embrace the use of Web portfolios.
One such example is found at the University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. Found
on a page governed by academic affairs and the provost, the university has in
effect a policy document that outlines and is titled “Plan for Assessment of
Student Academic Achievement, Baccalaureate Portfolio Project”. This project
requires students to publish a Web portfolio consisting of 12 of their best
papers for projects completed during their coursework at the college. The
school must have realized that creating Web portfolios might be a tough sell to
students. Although the Web portfolios will benefit the students greatly in the
future, they may be perceived as extra work. So the clever program adminis-
trator added this statement to the academic policy: “Except for completing a
brief cover sheet for each submission, and then uploading the paper to your
Web portfolio, you do nothing in addition to your regular course work.” I was
amused by that statement and a bit concerned. The importance of content in the
Web portfolio must go beyond a dozen artifacts. However, the university in the
Web page states that the Web portfolio is beneficial. The premise of the
benefits are based on the fact that more and more employers and graduate
schools expect graduates to present more than transcripts and letters of
recommendation; they often want to see specific examples of what you have
