Session 7.3: Supporting and assessing reflection through a professional portfolio

Sutherland, Louise

Reflective practice is an important process if students are to be able to critically apply the learning in their workplaces. This presentation will discuss how students’ reflection can be developed through their development of a Professional Portfolio.

A professional portfolio is a method of assessing to demonstrate achievement of outcomes and performance in real-life situations. It consists of a compilation of evidence, which demonstrates the person’s acquisition, development and exercise of knowledge and skills as they apply to their professional practice. A professional portfolio can be used as the final assessment task in preservice program or as a unit where practitioners re-examine on or more aspects of their professional practice.

In compiling their portfolio students engage in the processes of reflection by reviewing their philosophical approach and their current levels of performance then develop plans to improve one or more aspect of their work. Depending on the purpose the portfolio the students can then use their understanding from their formal studies, to critical reflect on their implementation of these plans or compare their performance to documented professional standards. Which ever, approach is adopted through their development of a professional portfolio students develop a personal satisfaction and the ability to self-assess and reflect on their own work.

Strategies to support the students’ reflections on their learning through their construction of a portfolio will be highlighted. Examples of assessment criteria and a method of including peer-feedback in the assessment of the portfolio will be discussed.