Portfolio-based learning and assessment

Julian Webb, University of Westminster

This teaching resource note sets out to:

1. Introduce portfolios as learning and assessment tools in academic and professional law courses and offer a range of hints and tips about their use.
2. Offer some practical examples of how portfolio-based assessment can be used.
3. Provide a brief bibliography of resources on the use of portfolios in higher education.
4. Provide descriptions of two modules developed at Westminster using portfolio-based learning and assessment.

It is organised around a set of 10 frequently asked questions (FAQs), plus the resource bibliography and module descriptions. (Note: this teaching resource note was produced in 2002. Julian Webb is now UKCLE Director.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a portfolio and what is portfolio-based learning?
2. How do portfolios differ from student journals?
3. How are portfolios different from records of achievement?
4. Why should I consider using portfolios?
5. How important is it to prescribe the contents of the portfolio?
6. Can portfolios support learning and assessment of substantive law?
7. How easy are portfolios to assess?
8. Is there anything portfolios can assess that other tools can’t?
9. Is plagiarism a problem?
10. Should portfolios be graded?
11. Resources
12. Portfolio-based learning and assessment at Westminster

Last Modified: 30 June 2010