College of Arts and Sciences - The Portfolio
In their portfolio students assemble pieces of their work attesting to their mastery. This provides for continuous assessment of general education and the major, as well as the individual students. Best examples of student work are collected -- exemplary papers, projects, records of performances, laboratory reports, test results, and other records to confirm their achievement in a subject. The portfolio provides a limited sample of the students' creative work, along with information on their understanding of course content and degree goals. Through the advisor-student relationship, the advisor provides assessment and becomes the tutor. The process encourages collaboration between the student and the teacher.
The nature and the content of the portfolio can be determined by the department. However, the portfolio should contain enough information to allow assessment of both general education and the major. As a result of the careful examination of portfolios, the curriculum can be improved.
GENERAL EDUCATION
The portfolio should contain evidence of competency in at least the following areas:
- writing
- computer skills (appropriate to the discipline)
- critical thinking and problem solving skills
Evidence from other areas may be included -- student values; appreciation of the accomplishment of others in aesthetics, science, history, ethics, and society; an understanding of themselves and society; and the capacity to anticipate, handle, or bring about change.
THE MAJOR
Through the portfolio the extent to which students master the major (and minor) course of study can be determined. Students should demonstrate their ability to compete in licensure requirements, the work force, or professional and graduate school.
CONTENTS OF THE PORTFOLIO
The portfolio is not limited to a folder in a file cabinet. It may contain, among other things, the following items:
- Samples of writing (essays, major papers, reports, projects)
- Essay on an assigned topic related to concepts, issues, or problems in the discipline
- Laboratory reports or notebooks
- Reports of research or independent projects
- Grade reports, transcripts
- Record of musical performances, including tapes and reports of juries
- Samples of works of art
- Videotapes of performances, presentations, etc.
- Computer disks of programs, data analysis, projects
- Copies of tests or reports of test results, including NTE, GRE, GMAT, MCAT
- Reports of internships, student teaching, etc.
- Scholarly work, including papers presented at scholarly meeting