Presenting Knowledge: Electronic Portfolios

Many times, we look back on our lives and we try to think about the things we have accomplished. There are times when we forget the small moments and even some moments that may be on a larger scale. Events that occurred more recently in our lives may take center stage in our reflection. It would be interesting to see how differently that reflection would appear if we had been documenting our lives throughout our journeys. An electronic portfolio is a way for students of all ages to document the artifacts of their academic experiences. Over a period of weeks, months, or even years students have the opportunity to create, collect, reflect, connect and finally present a portfolio that displays an array of selected artifacts for an audience to admire and evaluate. These portfolios integrate technology into the presentation of collected artifacts, and with millennials filling in seats around the world any engaging avenue to tap in to this generational mindset is one that we must explore.

Electronic portfolios may mold easier into an educational environment where students are more technologically advanced, older and more independent. Typically students that are already knowledgeable about creating hyperlinks, uploading documents and manipulating web authoring programs will have more success developing an electronic portfolio. However, the procedures in creating a portfolio can be taught to many students with explicit modeling and practice. These portfolios display students' data, progress and mastery of skills and objectives over a period of time. Through the implementation of electronic portfolios, visual learners are provided with the opportunity to see their work displayed while logical-mathematical learners are provided with an opportunity to track their progress and growth over a period of time. Electronic portfolios are a way for students to reflect on their academic journeys, exalt their achievements and rejoice in their exhibitions.

How different would our journeys be if we were documenting our accomplishments?

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