Digital Portfolio Resources

The digital portfolio summer training session is near on the horizon, so I was getting in the right frame of mind by organizing my resources. Of course getting my thoughts in order is a nice side effect.

My essential takeaways on digital portfolios:

1. A portfolio must include reflection/connection. A portfolio without any analysis is the equivalent of posting multiple choice worksheets on the hallway wall. To be relevant the portfolio must connect the learning to the student in a genuine way. Making these connections is a proof of learning and comprehension.
2. Students (and teachers) must be taught how to reflect on their posted work. It isn't a standard operating procedure for students to reflect. Some will resist, but that is mostly based in familiarity. The more "normal" the process feels the less resistance will occur. 
3. To have real value a portfolio should be a multi-year construct. Without longevity a portfolio might be seen as "just an assignment" instead of an expression of the students' learning. It's more than just a folder to store work. It's a place for a student to display the inner workings of the learning process. Sure there might be some final products to display, but the process is key.

Here are a few of the resources that helped form my thoughts. Bill's Learning was the inspiration for me to start my own portfolio.

• Digital Portfolios: The Art of Reflection (Edutopia)
• Building Digital Portfolios (Creative Educator)
• My Digital Portfolio Project Planning (Bill Ferriter the Tempered Radical)
• 7 Important Question Before Implementing Digital Portfolios (George Couros)
• Bill's Learning (Bill Ferriter the Tempered Radical)

I reserve the right to add more resources since this "blog" is mostly for me anyway!