I Just Don't Know

I think that Yancey is really on to something in terms of her use of the portfolio. I have often tried to find ways to incorporate portfolios into my classroom, but I have never been able to take the final step and really commit to it. Portfolios have the potential to be used as an authentic assessment that can demonstrate a student’s growth in any number of areas. I think that there is a great deal of understanding that can take place when a student is able to look at his work over a given period of time and see the progress that he has made. Given the chance to have honest reflection and time to evaluate his own words, a student can begin to look at their work critically. That is, I believe, the greatest benefit that the portfolio has to offer. Then why am I so reluctant to use them? Why can’t I just jump in like Yancey and begin to incorporate the portfolio into my classes? My biggest reason for hesitating is my uncertainty over whether my students would be willing to put forth an effort to offer an honest and critical look at their work. I have tried to do small assignments that require students to evaluate their work, and have had mixed results from it. I have students who give an actual effort to look critically at their work. These students would do just fine with a portfolio. The problem is that these students are the minority. Most of my students would offer only the most superficial review of their work and put forth only enough effort to make a passing grade. For these students, the portfolio would not have the same benefits. There has to be an evaluation component if the work is going to be worthwhile for these students. I am not sure if a half-hearted attempt at a portfolio is going to be better for these mediocre students than a more consistent feedback from me for the work that they are doing. Help me Kathleen Yancy!!