What is a Digital Portfolio?

To many, Digital Portfolios are considered electronic resumes. They are both convenient and secure. The student produces the project in an HTML format, similar to a website, so it can be read on any computer with a default browser. Most computers come with the browser as part of the Operating system. Instead of posting the work on the web, the student burns the collection to a CD so selected audiences can view there work.

Digital portfolio's, allow the student to display his or her work in a variety of multimedia formats: text, graphics, audio, and video. However, many educators feel the true role Digital Portfolios will play in the realm of education lies in its potential as a tool of assessment.

The portfolio allows students to create a true picture of both a students knowledge and there ability to apply it. In a standards based environment, the task of verifying how many students meet the criteria is becoming more and more difficult. The use of standardized test as the only measure is often criticized. Digital Portfolios not only offer an alternative to these test, they allow the student a median to analyze their strengths and weaknesses and determine a strategy to attain further success.

Digital portfolios allow students to state their objectives express themselves and reflect. Standardized test offer none of these opportunities and often a student’s work is taken out of context. Digital Portfolios offer the audience a broad spectrum of exposure to a student’s true character and talents as well as their individual learning style.

In many fields of employment, Digital Portfoilios are commonplace and it was only a matter of time before they found there way into the world of education. a students Digital Portfolio can be expanded during post graduate study at univesities, colleges and technical schools. this presentation is often a valuable tool when seeking meaningful employment.