working with portfolios.
If it's a while since you last did any written work the idea of having to write a long essay might seem quite daunting. So you may prefer to present work for assessment that is based on a display or poster or talk. I am quite happy as a tutor to assess the sort of work; but the University requires some sort of evidence of your learning and studying if you choose a non-written presentation.
You could slowly build up some written evidence in a portfolio showing how you have studied and the planning you have putting to your presentation. Keeping a brief record of your studying as you do it can help you to learn and reflect on your progress. By writing a page or two each week you will build up evidence of your progress that can be assessed by the tutor and be a lasting record of your achievements. You can also include some sort of self assessment or appraisal of your work - this is evidence of reflective learning.
For instance in your portfolio you could have a 'learning diary' in which you keep records of the work your done in classes, your reading, web sites you have visited, and the description of geological specimens you have studied. You can also include plans and rough drafts of the presentation, and your own assessment on whether you achieved your aims and objectives.
If you follow some of the following hyperlinks you will see some suggestions for pages that you could put into your portfolio. You do not have to follow these suggestions closely if you have your own ideas, but I hope you will find them useful. Some of these pages have options for you to delete when filling out the page. You are welcome to print them out and use them as templates in your portfolio.
Presentation or display planning pages -
Self appraisal of your presentation or display pages -
Self appraisal at the end of the course -
Feedback from Tutor - what sort of feedback do you want when I assess your work?
Preferred format for printed work.
You are also welcome to suggest ways of improving the portfolio pages!
BUT if you choose to use this type of work for assessment please discuss it with your tutor first to check that it appropriate for the course.
Mike Horne
Hull University
July 2004