---

The Smart Portfolio

The following graphic depicts the portfolio with all its components. We will examine each of them individually before showing you how to construct your own version of the Smart Portfolio.

---

The Foundations of the Smart Portfolio

We will begin our examination with a look at the portfolio's essential elements. The Smart Portfolio is always introduced with its five essential Foundations: Reading, Writing, Thinking, Interacting, and Demonstrating. Understanding that these elements are totally integrated when we teach and learn is essential to proper construction of the Smart Portfolio. Teaching and learning require active engagement . Consider the following:

• Reading begins the process of gathering evidence of knowledge in the forms of artifacts. Diagrams, booklists, booknotes, summaries, outlines, sketches, and drawings show the evidence that new knowledge has been accumulated. Patterns begin to form.

• Writing connects what we are learning with what we already know, offering the opportunity to transfer and apply new information and ideas. Formal papers, book reports, thematic units, poems and letters, publication-ready articles, and written classroom lesson plans are good examples.

• Thinking lies at the heart of the portfolio which infuses personal feelings into thoughts and ideas. Often referred to as the "Thinking Journal," this foundation provides "a place where our thinking can become visible, a place where we toss around ideas, consider what others think, make connections between new and prior knowledge, examine our own thinking strategies, and judge our own learning" (Wilcox, 1997). Some of the most common Thinking processes in the Smart Portfolio include responses to electronic mail, process memos, mind maps, records of personal dialogs and interviews, thinking charts, and problem-solving exercises.

• Interacting addresses the responsibility of an educator to share. Whether the individual is involved in group projects as a requirement of a pre-service course or has already launched his or her student teaching role, the cooperative partnering of ideas with fellow educators is an obligation that can be furthered by the Smart Portfolio. Peer assessments, memos from group activities, brainstorming sessions, arguments, problems and solutions, and position papers defending different points of view are examples.

• Demonstrating is the second constructive process in the Smart Portfolio. Combined with Writing, Demonstrating represents the portion of a portfolio rich in the application and transfer of learning. Demonstrations include the text of classroom presentations, speeches, oral interpretations, audiovisual materials, and completed projects using multisensory exhibits.

Organizing the Artifacts of the Smart Portfolio

---

Collecting, Working, and Showcase represent the artifacts folders of the Smart Portfolio. By considering these repositories, a pattern emerges for easy storage and retrieval of artifacts.

• The Collecting Folder focuses on acquiring knowledge and skills. Most of the evidence of learning will be housed in the Collecting folders of the Smart Portfolio.

• The Working Folder holds artifacts created as knowledge is applied and new skills are acquired.

• The Showcase Folder contains artifacts that are moved into this folder when they are ready to be published and shared with your colleagues. Published artifacts are maintained in the Showcase Folder.

Each of the following graphics provides a few examples of the specific types of items that comprise Collecting artifacts. Artifacts that you collect will be placed initially into this folder.

As knowledge is applied and new skills acquired, artifacts will be created and placed in Working folders created for work in progress. A few more examples will help clarify the kinds of artifacts most appropriate for this folder.

Artifacts assessed for their value might be moved to the Showcase folder and retained there permanently. In addition, documents attesting to your professional development, such as teacher certification credentials, will be captured in here as well.

Portfolio Exercise Main Menu. You can determine now, that the Smart Portfolio is the way to go for you. If so, go ahead and click on the icon and we will return to the Portfolio Exercise Main Menu so you can move directly to the final section: Build Your Portfolio.

Intelligent Portfolio Review . Or, you can choose to take a look at the Intelligent Portfolio now -- even though it may not be the best portfolio format for you at this time. If you would like to review the Intelligent Portfolio, click on this icon.