Assessment FOR Learning

As I read the article Electronic Portfolios as Digital Stories of Deep Learning, I realized that my philosophy of education meshed with Assessment FOR Learning, but I asked my students to create portfolios that followed the philosophy for Assessment OF Learning. Thus, I am quite frustrated because my intention and my assignment did not communicate the same purpose. I see where my focus became a checklist with a rubric instead of focusing on my students. Photostories told the same stagnate story because I limited their choices and creativity with my stiff rubric. I have often reflected about why the project did not flourish as I hoped, and now, I know why. Arghhhhh!

The potential for portfolio assessment is the future, in my opinion. Resumes are often a link to a video, website, or other Web 2.0 tool that communicates who the candidate is and abilities that he/she possesses. It is more personal and less formal. I can see universities requiring this type of application instead of formal essays because it is more relavent to today and is more comprehensive in getting to know the student. My excitement grows as I think of the possibilities.

As for my graduate experience or my journey as a new Media Specialist, I love the idea of keeping a journal through a blog or through a website or some other means to compile ideas, mistakes, challenges, accidental brilliances, et cetera. I have journaled for years in notebooks, and I often refer back to them when I speak to a group of ladies at church about the path I trodded trying to have children. I am often reminded of lessons the Lord taught me, prayers that were answered, emotions that flooded me, and just the step by step map of where I traveled emotionally, spiritually, and physically for those six long years. It has enabled me to minister more clearly through reading and remembering the life lessons I experienced. So, I believe this holds a wealth of potential in having students express, document, log, compare, contrast, reflect, et cetera their learning. It is the greatest tool of reflection which leads to the deepest of learning.

Now, which avenue do I choose to begin this portfolio? Hmmmmmm....