Interdisciplinary Inquiry
BIS 300
Prof. Michael Goldberg
Spring 2003

Updated 6/5/00

Learning Portfolio Assignment

Every student in IAS is required to compile a learning portfolio throughout their time in the program. The main use of the portfolio is an assessment tool forfulfilling the senior seminar/capstone requirement. Most basically, this means keeping a copy of all submitted work (both written and presentations) WITH the instructor's comments. However, the learning portfolio can also be a very useful tool for the student throughout his academic career at UWB and after. In this course, you will use the portfolio to assess your own work as you receive feedback from myself and from peers. For the purposes of organization, keep two sections within your portfolio: writing and research. (Use any container for the portfolio that works for you and allows for ease of review. Do not worry about aesthetic appearance in any way.) Although you are not expected to keep such careful track of your progress in other courses, being mindful of the concept of a portfolio (that is, treating each assignment as both an example of your proficiency AND as a learning experience for continued improvement) can help you become a more successful learner.

After you receive feedback from any assignment, answer the following questions in writing. For convenience, you may download a Word 98 document containing these questions. Simply respond to the questions, save the file on your computer in a folder, and then print out the comments at the end of the course and include them in your portfolio. Before answering the questions, you should review your responses for previous assignments. Before starting a new assignment, you should review past responses. Part of your portfolio grades will be based on these self-assessments.

1. What were your questions or concerns about this assignment? Did you attempt to have them answered before you turned in the assignment?
2. What was your understanding of the instructor's expectations for the assignment? Did the feedback indicate you understood these expectations? If not, why not?
3. How did you expect to be assessed for this assignment? How did the feedback correlate with your expectations?
4. What strengths did those assessing your assignment note?
5. What weaknesses did they note?
6. What strengths or weaknesses did you identify that those assessing your assignment missed?
7. What would you do differently the next time you were given a similar assignment?
8. What did you learn from this assignment?

Download questions as a Word 98 document: click here.

When you turn in your final portfolio, complete an Updated Learning Inventory (click here to download as word 98 document), which will include questions seven and eight as applied to the course. This part of the assignment will play an especially important role in your portfolio grades, so take the time to answer these questions thoughtfully and coherently. I would also encourage you to fill out this form or something similar to it after completing each quarter here at UWB.

Consult the Formal Writing Assignment page and the Research Assignment Overview page for details on the specific contents of the portfolios.

The Writing Portfolio Section should contain the following items, in the order designated below:

• Updated Learning Inventory Form
• Initial Learning Inventory Form
• Your assignments in the order noted below, each containing the following: the completed feedback assessment form, my comments (if separate from your writing assignment), and the assignment (with comments):

1. Informal Writing Assignments #1, #2, #3, and #4 (Freire, Uncommon Ground, River of Traps)
2. Abstract
3. Thought Piece
4. First Version (response form should relate to your peer's response)
5. Final Version (without a response form), followed by your outlining/organizing material and your Writing Center Visit Assessment form.

The Research Portfolio Section should contain the following items, in the order designated below:

• Information Literacy Assessment Form
• Blackboard Research Postings (all original postings; follow-up postings optional) in the following order: postings, my comments (if applicable)
• The Matrix assignment, and all notecards placed in a manilla envelope and secured to the binder. I will place your research proposal with my comments in your portfolio when I return them.
• Group Member Assessment Form

CHANGE OF DUE DATE:

THE PORTFOLIO IS DUE BY TUESDAY, JUNE 10, NO LATER THAN 5PM. I WILL BE IN MY OFFICE TO ACCEPT THEM PERSONALLY ON TUESDAY BETWEEN 3-5PM. AT ANY OTHER TIME BEFORE THE DEADLINE, YOU MAY PLACE THE PORTFOLIO IN A BOX OUTSIDE MY OFFICE. IF YOU DO THIS, YOU MUST INCLUDE THIS RELEASE FORM, FILLED OUT AND SIGNED, IN THE PORTFOLIO, .

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PICK UP YOUR PORTFOLIO AFTER MONDAY, JUNE 23, 1PM, YOU HAVE TWO OPTIONS. YOU CAN STOP BY MY OFFICE HOURS, OR PICK UP YOUR PORTFOLIO IN THE BOX OUTSIDE MY OFFICE. IF YOU CHOOSE THIS OPTION, YOU MUST SELECT THE APPROPRIATE BOX IN THE RELEASE FORM MENTIONED ABOVE.