Measurement Tools

Using E-portfolios to Manage Assessment

Conducted by:  Steven M. Graves

Abstract

 Portfolios have been used for many years in a variety of disciplines to assess student performance and to provide students a medium by which they can market their skill set.  Internet-based portfolio creation has made the collection and assessment of student artifacts easier and more dynamic, while simultaneously reducing the double-burden placed upon faculty and assessment teams.  Livetext.com is presented as one possible means to accomplish assessment goals, especially in disciplines where a broad or varied skill set is available to students.

Target Audience

Faculty and administrators interested in broadening and simplifying assessment plans should find this workshop a source of information and possibly some inspiration.  Persons who have been considering electronic portfolios for assessment should consider attending.  Persons associated with disciplines, like geography, the arts, architecture, etc. should find this information particularly useful in solving the problem of assessing students with a varied skill set.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this workshop, participants should be able to:

• Describe the utility and function of electronic portfolios.
• Discuss how eportfolios could reduce the double burden of assessment and grading.
• Discuss a few benefits and a few drawbacks to electronic portfolios.

Biography

Steve Graves teaches geography at California State University, Northridge.  He was hired as a teaching & research fellow with the Carnegie Foundation’s Teachers for a New Era initiative at CSUN and serves as his college’s assessment coordinator.  Graves’ research on predatory lending has garnered national attention in recent years.