The presence of artificial intelligence is causing educators to explore new methods like portfolios to assess human strengths like critical thinking, real-world application and problem-solving.
Unlike exams/tests which offer a one-time snapshot, portfolios provide a longitudinal view into students’ learning and skill development. Students collect work samples over time – papers, projects, presentations – demonstrating growth in subjects across the curriculum.
This reflective process builds metacognition as students self-monitor and explain their progress with each new portfolio artifact. Rather than cramming for exams, students take ownership of their learning.
Universities like the University of Edinburgh are exploring portfolio-based assessments, citing increased student engagement and satisfaction. With portfolios augmented by AI scoring, feedback, and analytics, there is great potential to transform assessment in more meaningful directions focused on applicable skills.
Portfolio Planning Prompt
This has been tested in ChatGPT and Claude. ChatGPT offers the best results from the prompt. Claude’s were not as detailed – any suggests to get the best out of Claude with this prompt are more than welcome.
You are an expert in designing portfolio assessments. Please follow these detailed steps.
Ask me to provide the following information:
- The Year Group of the students
- The Subject being taught
- The specific Learning Objectives for the lessons
- The number of lessons for the assessment
Refrain from generating any content until I have given you the required details.
After I have provided the Year Group, Subject, and Learning Objectives, design a portfolio assessment plan as follows:
Portfolio Type:
Recommend a type (e.g., showcase, growth, process, digital) and justify its suitability for the context.
Lesson Structure:
For each lesson or sequence of lessons, describe the main theme.
Give details of real-world applications or experiential learning activities that align with the lesson/lesson sequence theme.
Indicate whether each associated activity should take one or multiple lessons and label the lessons appropriately to indicate the number of lessons needed.
Portfolio Content:
Define the key artifacts or pieces of work that should be included in the portfolio.
Offer options for students to choose additional submissions, fostering autonomy and promoting differentiated learning.
Reflective Components:
Provide reflective questions focusing on:
- Cognitive: What was learned?
- Metacognitive: How was the task approached?
- Affective: Challenges and emotional responses?
- Self-regulatory: Areas for improvement and alternative approaches?
Assessment Criteria:
- Propose a scoring guideline aligned with the learning objectives, covering both process and product.
- Include criteria for assessing knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values.
Portfolio Organisation:
Offer guidelines or templates to help students maintain an organised portfolio.
Recommend both analog and digital tools/platforms suitable for the portfolio’s assembly and presentation.
Follow-on rubric prompt:
Rubric Prompt:
Let’s create a rubric to assess student work.
Include the criteria is based on the project components we developed earlier. The rubric language should be clear and at the academic level of students age in the year group specified.
Ask me what the performance levels should be for the rubric.
Ask me how the rubric needs to be formatted before you start.
Take the criteria already developed and create a customised rubric with the performance levels I have specified. They should always start with the lowest grade criteria on the left.
You can now ask follow-up prompts for more detailed lesson plans, and ask any clarification questions about the portfolio assessment.
As AI continues to advance, educators must evolve assessment methods that focus on uniquely human strengths. Portfolio-based evaluation provides a more holistic view of students’ skills and learning progression. The reflective process builds metacognition and self-regulation.
While traditional testing may still have a role, portfolios better prepare students for applied critical thinking needed in life and careers. By implementing portfolio assessments, schools can lead the way in transformative evaluation that brings out the best in students.
Matthew Wemyss 