Portfolios as Learning Stories

Imagine the beauty revealed through time lapse photography. The photographs taken each day do not stand alone with a story, but over time, an image blooms.  The story of growth emerges and it reveals life.  To see what I mean, take a few minutes and enjoy Louis Schwartzberg's TED Talk, Nature. Beauty. Gratitude.

A student's learning portfolio is like time lapse photography revealing his/her learning story. I have always valued the portfolio as a demonstration of learning, and I really connect with Sean Grainger's idea for a 13-year learning story.  Imagine if every student traveled through school with a portfolio that demonstrated in the end a 13-year learning story.  A portfolio as a 13-year learning story would be a worthy investment of resources, time and purpose. Not only would the students have an invaluable memory of schooling, but the system would also have the invaluable insight into student identity.

I created an electronic portfolio to express myself as a professional.  I used a Google Site because I wanted to craft it as a model for a student portfolio. Google Sites play well with Google Drive, where many students do quite a bit of school work.  

My Learning Story 

The value of the portfolio multiplies when it is coupled with a student-led conference.  Students own their learning when they are the ones setting goals and sharing progress.  A student-led conference is the bridge from the classroom to the home that teachers spend a whole career trying to build. 

I would like to hear from you. 

Do you use portfolios in your classroom? 

Have you moved your system to an electronic system?

What do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

Could 13-year learning stories emerge at a system level?


References 

Grainger, S. (2010).Personal Learning Stories, KARE Givers. Retrieved from http://www.karegivers.org/2010/02/personal-learning-stories.html

Schwarzberg, L. (2014). Nature. Beauty, Gratitude. TED Talk, Retrieved from http://www.ted.com/talks/louie_schwartzberg_nature_beauty_gratitude