Pauline Larabee, Recognition of Adult Learning, Outcome
Based Assessment Guide (draft), (Ottawa: Ottawa Board
of Education, Continuing Education Centre, 1995)

WHAT IS A PORTFOLIO?

• In literacy programmer, a portfolio is a file that contains a representative selection of a learner's work.

• It is meant to show the learner's progress over a period of time so that both learner and teacher can see what has been achieved.

• The portfolio can also be used to show the work of a whole programme.

HOW CAN WORKING ON A PORTFOLIO
CONTRIBUTE TO TEACHING?

· Learner portfolios were first developed for purposes of assessment and accreditation, but have become a valuable teaching tool for:

Planning helps learners to set goals and see where they're going

Motivation helps learners to take responsibility for their own learning and progress

Accreditation helps learners to see progress and accomplishments

PORTFOLIO DEVELOPMENT

GOAL SETTING: When setting out to produce a portfolio, both teacher and learner have to decide what they are going to work on. In literacy this means discussing the learner's goals in returning to school and agreeing on what they might reasonably expect to achieve within a specified period.