Assessment: Digital Portfolios as Summative Evaluation

I remember senior year in high school.  Rushing around early spring to pull artwork together to send off to colleges for scholarships.  Back then, you either sent the full portfolio with the original work or sent slides; there were no digital images to send or CDs to save the work.

Wow, have things changed!  We have so many possibilities with the technology afforded us today.  No matter the program you choose, one can make a stylish and attractive portfolio.  I work with my 5th graders to create art portfolios using PowerPoint.  By the time my students reach 5th grade, each has made at least one PowerPoint per grade level starting in 2nd grade…so my kids know PowerPoint well.

I give them a beginning template with two slides:  an introduction slide and a “About Me” slide.  They must include a visual on each slide whether it be a photograph or clip art.  As we complete units during the year, students take digital photographs of their work (I let students take the photos; most have used a digital camera before but I always run into a few students who have not, so it is a good learning experience).  On each of the art slides, students must include the image, a title, medium, and an artist statement.  The statement must be at least three complete sentences and may address:  inspiration, struggles, changes they would make, title choice, etc.  This piece is vital as a summative evaluation as the children are reflecting and thinking deeper about the work each has created during the year.  At the end of the year, and depending on time frame, students share in some manner.  We may share as a large group with the PowerPoints projected on the screen or they may partner or trio to share the portfolios with each other.  Students may bring a blank CD/DVD at the end of the year to have the portfolios burned onto to have as a keepsake.  Click here to see examples of student digital portfolios [PPT].

.I find this form of summative evaluation to be very beneficial for my students.  Each experiences something different as they create the work, photograph it, and then write and reflect about it.  I can use the technology work and the writing to meet objectives in both technology and art.

If you do not have access to a lab, you might consider teaming with the technology teacher in your building.  Technology is simply a tool for learning and what better way to learn than to reflect on the whys and hows of creating artwork.

Next week, we delve into Professional Learning Communities (P.L.C.s).

-Bob Reeker