Have you used student or subject-area portfolios to assess learners and help them catalog their own learning? If not, you might consider experimenting with them this year as they are rich with opportunities for differentiation. Portfolios can require some up-front planning; they are sometimes challenging to store and manage and need to be reviewed regularly. On the upside, they allow students to demonstrate understanding in a variety of ways and using a wide range of tools. Further, many different skills and competencies can be evaluated in a portfolio so teachers can use them to assess standards-based content, personal learning targets and IEP objectives all at the same time. Want to learn more? Check out this post on portfolios on About.com.
About Paula Kluth
