Description: A learning portfolio is a portfolio in which one makes and provides evidence of learning outcomes. In other words, if the goal of any persuasive portfolio is to convince the reader of something, the goal of a learning portfolio is convince the reader that learning took place.
One simple way to structure a learning portfolio is to ask students to revisit each of the learning objectives in a course, to explain their learning relative to the learning objectives, and to link to artifacts that illustrate the type of learning being explained.
Underlying pedagogical goals: Synthesis
Examples: These examples showcase learning portfolios organized around the learning objectives of the course. Students created these portfolios as part of my course, "The Computer in Technical Communication" in which students complete eight design assignments in eight weeks using eight different pieces of software. The course has four learning objectives. The course has been designed so that by the end of the course students are able to a) use software tools professional and effectively, b) use familiar and personal strategies to learn new software tools, c) design effective solutions to common challenges in technical communication, and d) Students are expected to leave the course with a) demonstrate knowledge of the TC profession. In the portfolios to the right, students present evidence of their learning relative to each of these learning objectives as also relative to a learning outcome that they personally identify.
