Research Review
Jennifer Drumm
March 3, 2001

Lankes, A.M. (date). Electronic Portfolios: A New Idea in Assessment. (Eric Document Reproduction Service No. ED 365 312) Retrieved March 1, 2001 from the World Wide Web: http://www.ericit.org/digests/portfolio.html.

I selected this article based on my interest in authentic and performance-based assessment. The focus for gifted and talented programs in the state of Texas is on the product or performance that will show accomplishment by a student being served in a gifted and talented program (State Goal for G/T as stated in the Texas Plan for the Gifted and Talented). Problem-based learning and WebQuests also require authentic assessment that can be shared with a "real" audience. These products and performances can be kept in an electronic portfolio to show advancement over time.

In this article Anna Maria D. Lankes sites improved student performance associated with authentic assessments. In order to keep these assessment measures over time teachers are developing electronic portfolios. The management of teacher evaluations, student evaluations, and student reasons for selecting certain pieces of work are also made easier in an electronic portfolio. These documents can be used during parent conferences to show student improvement as well as student interest in specific studies.

There are several different types of portfolios listed by the author:
developmental portfolios, teacher planning portfolios, proficiency portfolios, showcase portfolios, employment skill portfolios, and college admission portfolios. The developmental and teacher planning portfolios show growth over time (the teacher can view previous year's material for planning upcoming lessons) and the proficiency portfolio would determine graduation eligibility. The rest are methods of showing specific work for requirements of classes or even job interviews.

Space required to keep portfolios is an issue for most teachers and schools. Some teachers have not implemented the use of portfolios simply because the management of so much material can be overwhelming. The author suggests that the use of computer storage can solve these problems, especially with the ability to burn CD's. There are portfolio programs that can be purchased to help in the setting up of new portfolios or the teachers may choose to use a program such as Hyperstudio to create their own. Once the portfolio is set up it can be shared electronically, burned to a CD, saved on video tape, or printed.

As a teacher I would have found this information very useful. My students were often doing projects and activities other than traditional tests, these activities could have been saved and shared using our digital camera, scanner, and computer programs. As a parent I can see the benefit of having work over time to share with college admissions offices or for job applications.