Portfolios-Different Kinds

1. What are the differences between

working portfolios, assessment portfolios and showcase portfolios?

There are several differences between working, assessment, and showcase portfolios. By looking at the purpose or reason of each portfolio we can establish their unique qualities or criteria.

A working portfolio is a large potpourri of work over time in many different categories. This eclectic working or developing portfolio is a work in progress. In chapter four, (Obannon and Puckett) the authors define the purpose of a working portfolio as documenting growth and development over time. I thought about this, is this like the I-Plan that we have in Rhode Island or is our I-Plan an assessment portfolio, which has standards for teacher education program requirements?

Assessment portfolios piggyback working portfolios. An individual takes out contents saved in a working portfolio for a specific standard or goal to validate or show accountability. Assessment portfolios are standard-based and goal driven collections of specific artifacts from the larger working portfolio. Therefore assessment portfolio meets specific learning goals or requirements.

A showcase or display portfolio is even narrowed down more than a working or assessment portfolio. A showcase portfolio chooses the best work of all in the collection of documents and artifacts. The purpose of this portfolio is usually used for employment.

In conclusion, Portfolios do have differences, yet they are on a continuum scale. Most portfolios begin with the working portfolio, and then an individual selects items from the working portfolio and uses them for a Showcase or Display Portfolio. Lastly, the individual develops an assessment portfolio containing examples of significant work that illustrates a mastery of certain requirements or learning goals.

As a teacher for 20 years I only invested my time, talent, and treasure in resumes and print-based portfolios for my educational career. It’s beneficial and imperative now that I am taking this “Computer Age” course to vault me in the digital 21^st century to begin an adventure of a working portfolio of my own!

O, Blanche, and Kathleen Puckett. Preparing to Use Technology. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 2009. 84-86. Print.