ISJ November 2014: E-portfolio: time to reflect

Roberto d’Erizans and Tamatha Bibbo

Abstract:

As educators we are confronted regularly with new innovations, methods, products and approaches to existing challenges. The magnitude of this constant stream of new ideas often makes us resistant to change. We have learned to wait and see how these innovations develop, how their impact is measured, and if they truly improve our practice. Quite simply, before we adopt something new, we want to know it works.

Over the past few years, many schools have focused their work on student growth and development by adopting Carol Dweck’s philosophy which encourages progress over product, a growth mindset over a fixed one. Often, this work has involved the creation of a portfolio system to facilitate opportunities for students to chronicle and reflect on their K-12 social, emotional and intellectual experiences. As John Dewey remarked, “We do not learn from experience … we learn from reflecting on experience.” Therefore, can the primary goal of a good portfolio system lie in its ability to guide students through reflection? To guide students to adopt a growth mindset over a fixed one?