Portfolio Assessment

Overview of the Process/Product Portfolio

Process/Product Portfolio

A portfolio is a collection of work, accompanied by commentary that explains the purpose of the collection and the reason for including particular articles. There are many different types of portfolios used for different purposes.  In this assessment, students will be required to complete a Process/Product portfolio, which is used to show stages in the development and understanding of one subject.  For instance, a portfolio might include initial ideas for one landmark case from start to finish which include background research, rough drafts with comments and changes, and then the final draft, PowerPoint presentations, etc.  Make sure you read each area of this overview of this assessment.  This assessment is being introduced at the beginning of the semester so students can develop their portfolio throughout the semester.  The three weeks dedicated to the portfolio assessment in the schedule is for students to complete the assessment.  Students can be as creative as they wish with the design, theme, and font type and size.  Portfolio can be done as a pdf, doc, inserted into a PowerPoint, eportfolio, etc. Please inform the instructor what type of format the presentation will be in to ensure compatibility with the Big Blue Button.  Review the list of required artifacts and the order of placement in the portfolio.  There are three parts to the Process/Product Assessment that points will be assigned; 1) Portfolio, 2) Presentation, 3) Feedback to two other student’s presentations.     

Purpose

The purpose of this Process/Product Portfolio Assessment is to collect artifacts on one topic of interest from the assigned readings and assignments over the semester to demonstrate the stages of understanding and knowledge of that topic. By this point in the course each student should have a good understanding of what they have learned and formed an educated opinion on the topic of their choice with supporting evidence. This is the opportunity to illustrate what you have learned, how your view has changed over the course and what changed your view. The commentary on your artifacts will help to structure that view.  The understanding and knowledge should reflect several of the learning objectives of the course and portfolio goals.  Please review each one before proceeding.   

Learning Objectives of the course

1. Goal 1: Identify and analyze the history of capital punishment;
2. Goal 2: Describe the roles of important landmark cases in the process;
3. Goal 3: Identify the flow and process of prosecuting a capital offense, as well as the eventual execution;
4. Goal 4: Describe key cases that shaped executions as they have been done in the past and as they are performed now;
5. Goal 5: Identify the legal philosophy behind the death penalty and the opposing arguments;
6. Goal 6: Utilize study techniques that are illustrative in the research surrounding capital punishment.
7. Goal 7: Refine writing skills.

 

Portfolio Goals

1. Demonstrate the ability to write effectively.

2. Demonstrate the ability to relate principle concepts.

3. Demonstrate the ability cite sources.

4. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize and integrate information.

5. Demonstrate the ability to be reflective and effectively conduct self-assessment.

6. Demonstrate the ability to think creatively and critically.

 

Assessment time

Three (3) weeks will be given for the preparation and completion of the portfolio.

One week (1) will be given for the presentation and feedback of portfolios.

Points for Assessment

There will be a total of 90 points given for the Portfolio Assessment. The following is a breakdown of points.

 First part:

v  10 points for Portfolio assessment (follow Portfolio rubric)

v  50 points for rough draft of reflection paper (follow Portfolio rubric)

Second part:

v  20 points for presentation (this will count as facilitator points) (follow presentation rubric)

Third part:

v  10 points for attending and giving feedback on two other student presentations (full points for attending and providing feedback to two (2) students).

Assignments associated with this Assessment

Some assignments will have already been completed and only need to be added to the portfolio. Students have three (3) weeks to complete the additional assignments as each one will be part of the final portfolio.

PowerPoint from Module 6

Attach the completed PowerPoint from Module 6 along with an Update of Understanding. Read and follow the directions on creating the Update of Understanding.

Reflection Paper rough draft

Attach the rough draft of your reflection paper along with an Update of Understanding.  The final draft of your reflection paper will be due at the end of the semester.  You will choose a topic that interested or disturbed you during the semester and you will write about what you learned. There is no set page limit, however, (2) two to (5) five pages should be sufficient.  This assignment should be fun and reflect on what you have learned whether it was interesting to you or if it disturbed you.  Read and follow the directions on creating the Update of Understanding.

Cover Letter/Narrative of topic

Attach a one-page cover letter summarizing your topic of choice, include why you chose your topic, describe the articles in your  portfolio and why you chose them, as well as what you hope other students will learn from your portfolio. The cover letter should be placed in the front of your portfolio.         

Update of Understanding

After each chosen assignment the student will create a document giving a brief description of the assignment, explanation of what the student learned from the assignment, a recent (within the last five years) study, incident, ruling, court process, etc. associated with the topic. Attach a reference page of sources used in each assignment.  The guideline for the “Update of Understanding” is as follows:         

v  Title “Update of Understanding” in bold lettering centered in the page

The remaining information aligned to the left

v  Name of Assignment in bold lettering aligned to the left

v  A brief description of assignment

v  An explanation of what the student learned

v  A recent artifact (within the last five years) associated with the topic (Provide source)

Overall Resource Page

The overall resource page is a reference page consisting of all sources used in creating each artifact. The overall resource page will be the last page in your portfolio.

Artifacts

Cover Letter/Narrative of topic

PowerPoint

Reflection paper rough draft

Any other assignment associated with your topic

Update of Understanding Form

Overall Resource Page

Organization

1)      Narrative of topic

(Attach chosen assignment in order by date of assignment followed by the update of Understanding form for each assignment)

2)      Assignments

3)      Update of Understanding form (behind each assignment)

4)      PowerPoint (in date order with assignments)

5)      Update of Understanding form (of PowerPoint)

6)      Reflection rough draft

7)      Update of Understanding form (of reflection rough draft)

8)      Overall Resource page

Portfolio Rubrics

Rubric (adapted from Skawinski, S. F. & Thibodeau, S. J. (2002) A Journey into Portfolio Assessment. Educational Forum, v67 n1 p. 81-88) along with my additions

Points Portfolio	Level	Description
10	Distinguished	Evidence selected shows a high degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rational provides a developed and convincing explanation for inclusion; portfolio overall is well-written and well-designed, all parts of each assignment is present, presents a coherent and compelling case of achievement.
8	Proficient	Evidence selected shows an acceptable degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rational provides a clear and acceptable explanation for inclusion; portfolio overall is well-written and well-organized, all parts of each assignment is present, presents a coherent case of achievement.
5	Emerging	Evidence selected shows a moderate degree of understanding, knowledge, and /or performance; rational may be incomplete or inconsistent, provided an underdeveloped explanation for inclusion; portfolio overall shows effort at organization but is not yet a fully developed case of achieve; quality of writing is inconsistent and parts of assignments are missing.
0	Unacceptable	Evidence selected shows minimal degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rationale provides little and/or irrelevant explanation for inclusion; portfolio overall is not yet organized to present a case; quality of writing interferes with ideas; each assignment provides little or no required parts. May be too little to assess.

 

Reflection Paper draft rubric

Points Reflection Paper	Level	Description
50	Distinguished	Evidence selected shows a high degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rational provides a developed and convincing explanation for inclusion; portfolio overall is well-written and well-designed, all parts of each assignment is present, presents a coherent and compelling case of achievement.
40	Proficient	Evidence selected shows an acceptable degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rational provides a clear and acceptable explanation for inclusion; portfolio overall is well-written and well-organized, all parts of each assignment is present, presents a coherent case of achievement.
20	Emerging	Evidence selected shows a moderate degree of understanding, knowledge, and /or performance; rational may be incomplete or inconsistent, provided an underdeveloped explanation for inclusion; portfolio overall shows effort at organization but is not yet a fully developed case of achieve; quality of writing is inconsistent and parts of assignments are missing.
0	Unacceptable	Evidence selected shows minimal degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rationale provides little and/or irrelevant explanation for inclusion; portfolio overall is not yet organized to present a case; quality of writing interferes with ideas; each assignment provides little or no required parts. May be too little to assess.

 

Presentation of Portfolio

At the end of the third week students will present their portfolio in the Conference Room using Big Blue Button. Students will be able to upload their presentation. For help using the conference room and/or Big Blue Button refer to the help tab at the top right-hand side of canvas http://guides.instructure.com/.  A signup sheet will be forthcoming. There will NOT be a maximum time set for presentation due to the different lengths of each presentation.  A presentation rubric is provided for guidance.  Students are required to attend two other student’s presentation and provide feedback in the Presentation discussion thread located in Module 10.  Feedback should include more than “good job.” Include what your thoughts about the subject the presenter choice, did you learn anything new, did you agree or disagree with the presenter, explain why.  Full discussion points given for replying to two other presenters.

Presentation Rubrics

Points	Level	Description
20	Distinguished	Presenter illustrates a high degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rational provides a developed and convincing explanation for inclusion; presenter illustrates a coherent and compelling case of achievement.
18	Proficient	Presenter shows an acceptable degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rational provides a clear and acceptable explanation for inclusion; presenter illustrates a coherent case of achievement.
12	Emerging	Presenter shows a moderate degree of understanding, knowledge, and /or performance; rational may be incomplete or inconsistent, provided an underdeveloped explanation for inclusion;
0	Unacceptable	Presenter shows minimal degree of understanding, knowledge, and/or performance; rationale provides little and/or irrelevant explanation for inclusion; May be too little to assess.