View / download portfolio template (in Word format)

A portfolio is a collection of materials presented by the learner to provide evidence of performance. It is a collection of different items of evidence that support a learner's claim that they have the required skills, knowledge and understanding.

• contains evidence collected from the learner's work
• can show a learner's progression over time
• may contain evidence from other work situations, previous training programs and other activities such as sport, recreation and hobby activities
• non text media can be used
• useful for holistic or integrated assessment of units
• can be led by the learner or the assessor
• can be used as a basis of self reflection or review
• encourages learner involvement and responsibility for their assessment
• may reduce the assessor's workload as the onus for putting the portfolio together is on the learner
• helps to provide evidence where direct observation of the learner's performance by an assessor is difficult.

• learners need careful guidance as to how much evidence they should supply
• an index or reference list of materials is essential
• the learner's selection and explanation of the material selected can affect the assessment outcome as much as the content of the material
• learner driven portfolios are useful for assessing higher level skills and knowledge
• the materials(evidence) must be current and valid i.e.: must relate to the unit(s) or criteria being assessed.

You will need to give guidance to the learner about how much and what type of material to put in the portfolio. Some suggestions are:

• references from other people (colleagues and supervisors)
• products from the workplace(paperwork or finished items)
• visual information
  • photos or videos of work products
  • plans or drawing / labelled diagrams
• audio cassettes containing information that may be relevant (eg: references can be recorded rather than written
• practical tasks (eg answers to questions, projects, tests, posters etc)

• put a limit on the volume of material allowed to be submitted, for example, one box file or concertina/stendix file
• provide a list of suggested materials the can be included in the portfolio, or alternatively the materials that are not acceptable forms of evidence
• provide a cover sheet or index for the learner to complete
• give clear guidelines as to how the material will be assessed.

View / download portfolio template (in Word format)