The Glossary of Education Reform defines a student portfolio as, “a compilation of academic work and other forms of educational evidence assembled for the purpose of (1) evaluating coursework quality, learning progress, and academic achievement; (2) determining whether students have met learning standards or other academic requirements for courses, grade-level promotion, and graduation; (3) helping students reflect on their academic goals and progress as learners; and (4) creating a lasting archive of academic work products, accomplishments, and other documentation.”
Making a student portfolio as a part of the learning experience of the students is not new. For many years, teacher revel in students’ reflection and the formation of their own ideas through the students’ portfolios. However, in the coming of new technology, the utility of using student portfolio can be at stake. Oftentimes, we see students posting about their opinion in the social media networking sites. We hear them saying Twitter or Tumblr is the new medium of expressing their views in life. Yet, we have to stress out the importance of these students’ portfolios.
Portfolios and journals are good way to cultivate the creativity of the students. They usually compile photos and write letters or essays that are about the lessons they took, or about how they look at themselves and at their worlds. Encouraging them to design their portfolio or journal also shapes their imagination, creativity, and resourcefulness.
As teachers, the journals of our students help us in various ways. For language instructors, it help them monitor the progress of students in terms of their linguistic competence. We can closely look for the errors they commit and we can correct them instantly. Journals are also a good way of discovering for potential writers and journalists.
More importantly, in asking them to write about themselves, their family, and their world, we can easily get to know our pupils. More often than not, students do not share or open up themselves because of shyness or fear of being judged or discriminated. Journals are safe space. We can know what other factors help them, or break them. We can know if there is any family problem, or personal issue that affects them in their learning. In that way, we can easily find way how to connect with them and help them grow.
By: IMELDA P. BUENSUCESO|BNHS|BALANGA,BATAAN
