Frequently Asked Questions About Portfolios (Samples of Student Work):

What is a portfolio?

There are two kinds of portfolios, comprehensive and selective. A comprehensive portfolio includes all of the work you've done for the class. A selective portfolio is a selection of work chosen for a particular purpose. For this class, you will need to keep a comprehensive portfolio for yourself, in case there is any question about whether a particular assignment was completed. You turn in a selection of your work, including both formal assignments and informal samples that is a representation of your development as a writer, reader, and thinker over time.

What should I include in the portfolio?

At the midterm you need to include your current version of your Online Learning Record, final versions of all assigned work completed so far, plus selections of your informal writing, which might include assigned writing, InterChanges, or email, and your observations as recorded for your online learning record. You also need to include some examples of your comments on someone else's paper. For the final portfolio, include the final version of your online learning record and a selection of samples of work over the course of the semester, including final versions of all major projects and representative selections of other work that gives specific support for your interpretations of your learning.

How do I submit a portfolio of work samples?

Submit your portfolio the same way you submit other assignments. Put all of the materials you are including into a Mac folder titled "(yourname)-samples (johnson-samples, for example) and copy it into the proper class folder inside my teacher folder. The appropriate folder will be labeled "Midterm OLR" or "Final OLR." You should drag copies of your projects from their earlier locations in the teacher folder into your portfolio.

What kind of response should I expect on my Learning Record?

I will respond with a page or so of comments about the midterm Learning Record plus an estimate of what your course grade would be if the class ended at this point. I will also make some suggestions for the second half of the semester.
For the final portfolio, complete the final Learning Record assignment and turn in your complete Lering Record package to the teacher folder no later than 4:30 on the due date. I will email the response to the final portfolio together with your final grade within one week of the end of classes.

Questions? Email Peg Syverson: syverson@uts.cc.utexas.edu