TASK 15 -- Communicative approach

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Date Posted: 07:42:29 08/13/03 Wed
Author: Marcos Manso
Subject: TASK 15

TASK 15 - Portfolios

How can we use portfolios to evaluate our students' progress?

Portfolios are elements of an alternative method of assessment in the language learning process. They are �collections of student work representing a selection of performance� (Sweet, 1993). One interesting aspects of portfolios is that students can themselves collect, select, and reflect upon them. One example of a portfolio is a folder containing a student�s best pieces and the student�s evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses of the pieces.

Portfolios can help students evaluate their progress by being a record of the activities undertaken over time in the development of their products. Whenever they need to refer to this material they have easy access to it. Another benefit is that they can share and comment on each other�s work. By reflecting on their work and critically evaluating them in a collaborative way students will be greatly benefited.

Because portfolios are representations of classroom-based performance and can be fully integrated into the curriculum, they represent a valuable assessment tool in the learning process. In contrast to testing which takes time away from instruction, portfolios can complement it, therefore becoming more effective for measuring students� skills.

Lots of portfolios can be built. If we build a performance portfolio, for instance, students can evaluate their progress by constantly checking their improvement throughout a given course. If we students are looking for a creative work to inspire them in building a project or similar task, they can refer to a portfolio in order to find one. If students want to check their proficiency development they can look at an oral work portfolio and identify their skills and mistakes not only to scrutinize their accuracy in pronunciation and fluency in the language but also to check their advancement and establish parameters for improving their performance. If students want to see how much knowledge they have acquired and their current level of sophistication a portfolio will be very useful as well.

Portfolios can be used for meaningful assessments and help students reflect on their language learning process, their language competence development, and their ability to use the language with a purpose. They can also promote critical thinking for students therefore launching a basis for a better learning both inside and outside the classroom.

Marcos Manso

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Replies:

Re: TASK 15 -- Vera Menezes, 15:09:55 08/13/03 Wed