Week 3 Reflection

After reading the article Electronic Portfolios as Digital Stories of Deep Learning and reviewing the 10 research principles of assessment for learning, there were some principles that stood out the most. One of the principles is an assessment for learning portfolio states it should focus on how the student learns; this is one of the outstanding differences from a portfolio of learning. Through evaluation of a student we can observe learning patterns and behaviors; we can have a detailed description of how the student learns best. Another important principle is it should recognize a full range of achievements of the learner, because it is specific to the individual it can give recognition to new areas such as art, technology, public speaking not only the academic subjects such as reading and math. This can give a detailed description of the individual rather than a comparison to the other students.

Assessment for learning profiles have a great potential in the classroom. It can paint a better picture of the individual’s needs, personal growth and talents without the classification of only scores. We can learn specific things about the students rather than a comparison to the other students’ performance or standards. Since the profile is not on a time limited, it can give the instructor the option to add information as observed. For example, if a student had a wonderful presentation in the middle of the year, the teacher can make a note of the students’ performance. This can be used when a new instructor is added or an evaluation is needed on the student because there is more information about the individual the new teacher can understand important facts about the student. An approach to instructing the student can be made before having to perform an observation and trial and error with a student.

I think if I created a learning portfolio for myself it could outline learning patterns, along with weaknesses and strengths as a student. I could evaluate which projects I succeeded in and which needed improvement. It would give me a more colorful picture of my learning rather than only looking at an overall letter grade on my transcript at the end of a semester.