What is a "digital portfolio" used for in education?

A digital portfolio serves as a curated collection of a student's work, providing a comprehensive overview of their learning journey, accomplishments, and skills developed over time. This tool allows students to showcase not only completed projects and assignments but also reflections on their progress and areas of growth. By compiling various types of work, such as essays, art projects, presentations, and other assessments, a digital portfolio demonstrates the student's evolution and mastery in different subject areas.

The emphasis on a digital format means that these portfolios can be easily shared with peers, teachers, and potential future educational institutions or employers. This accessibility allows for greater feedback and opportunities to present one’s work in a manner that highlights the student's capabilities and achievements.

In contrast, collections of teacher resources or databases of school activities do not focus on individual student learning outcomes, and methods for evaluating student behavior are more concerned with classroom management than documenting educational progress.