There are a number of ways to use ePortfolios as both formative
and summative assessments. Formative assessments
can be used throughout a unit of study to serve as check-ins for student
understanding. Students will be able to reflect
on their learning process as they work towards a goal. Through formative assessments, not only will students
will be able to self-assess, but teachers are able to keep track of each student’s
progress to ensure that they are on track to meet their goals. Using ePortfolios allows students, teachers,
parents, and administrators to see the growth of the student throughout the
life of the portfolio. These reflections and feedback allow the teacher to
understand the student’s needs, and help to improve their comprehension of the
material by adjusting their teaching.
Formative assessments can be informal and as simple as a blog post
answering a question, prompt, or explaining the process of solving a math
problem. The reflections should display
what the student has learned.
Summative assessments can be done at the end of a particular
unit. The ePortfolio itself is a summative
assessment, and it tracks a student’s progress overtime. At the end of a unit, students can present
their material and reflect on the knowledge they have gained over time. Also, the
student can reflect on their progress towards meeting their own academic goals.
Both teachers and students can grow throughout the process of using ePortfolios
as summative and formative assessment.
