Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of papers, projects and other products created by students during their studies or during a specific course. It is a tool that can help students document their learning and show their development.

You can use portfolio building as a form of assessment by having students submit (some) documents or projects as part of their assessment. Here, they can show what they have learned, how they have applied their knowledge and skills in practice, and reflect on it. For example, you can assess them on writing scientific reports, giving presentations, conducting research, developing projects and reflecting on the learning process for each of these products. 

A portfolio can consist of several components, such as:

1. Reflective pieces - in these, the student describes their learning process and how they have applied the knowledge learned.
2. Work papers - these show products created by the student, such as reports, essays or presentations.
3. Projects - this shows larger projects in which the student has applied his or her knowledge and skills.
4. Teacher feedback - this shows how the student is performing and where there is room for improvement.

Want to know more?

• Medical centres are increasingly working with flexible learning pathways in which Entrustable Professional Activities are taken as a starting point. Through digital portfolio solutions, students' progress and growth are tracked.
• Portfolio-assessment - Radboud Universiteit
• Using portfolios to assess learning - University of Warwick

See also: Portfolio interview, Reflective journal.