Teaching Portfolios

Creating Electronic Portfolios:
A Tutorial for Preservice Teachers

Contents:

Teaching Portfolios
Definition
Audience
Purpose

Portfolio Examples
Web Examples
NEC Examples

Planning the Portfolio
What to Include
Collecting Artifacts
Organizing Content

Creating the Portfolio
Creating Templates
Navigation Structure
Appearance

Portfolio Rubric

Resources

Contacts

Electronic Teaching Portfolios

Definition
Portfolios are selections of evidence that document your abilities, reflections, and growth. Electronic portfolios add the dimension of including varied media (text, video, sound, and graphics). This digital information may be made readily accessible on the WWW (or CD). Electronic portfolios encourage the exchange of feedback. They are works in progress, and they are easy to upgrade.

Audience
The portfolio that you create for acceptance to the education major will be reviewed by the education faculty. It may also be viewed by other preservice teachers or members of the educational community. If it is published to the WWW, it may be viewed by anyone with Internet access. In the future, you may choose to update and revise your portfolio for presentation to a future employer.

Purpose
The initial purpose for creating a teaching portfolio at NEC is that it is a requirement to gain acceptance to the Teacher Certification Program at New England College. In this respect, the purpose of the portfolio is to provide evidence that will attest to your qualifications and ability to be a major in education. Creating an electronic portfolio will also demonstrate your competence in meeting technology standards for teachers.

However, the portfolio serves a larger purpose than merely meeting a requirement. The portfolio is a way to demonstrate your accomplishments and document your development as a teacher. It encourages you to reflect and think more critically about your teaching, or to consider new methods. It shows your strengths and style as a teacher. It also can reveal areas for improvement and growth. Portfolios can provide a sampling of primary documents of teaching, or artifacts that denote accomplishment. Ideally the portfolio reveals both the evidence of your teaching, and your reflections based upon that evidence. It also can provide feedback from others about your teaching experiences.

The portfolio reflects your philosophy, goals, and values. Assembling your portfolio is a creative endeavor that expresses your talents and abilities. Your selections reflect your skills in assembling the evidence of your strengths, accomplishments, and growth.

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