An online portfolio is a digitized, downloadable file that showcases accomplishments, talent, work, and other aspects that represent someone professionally and personally. Using online portfolios successfully can encourage independent learning and help students master digital technology as well as foster creativity and collaboration both inside and outside of the classroom. They can help students manage their academic lives and prepare college applications, and they can help teachers streamline feedback on students' assignments and keep closer tabs on how students progress with assignments and content (see ).
The use of online portfolios in the classroom has many advantages that benefit students in an increasingly digitized world. Accessing and managing an online cache of materials encourages students to develop organizational skills that will prepare them for the workforce, where digital literacy is key.
As students become comfortable with managing an online portfolio, they can expand these skills to learn how to navigate websites and conduct research in a critical way. For instance, a teacher can task a student with creating an online portfolio that showcases their research and analysis on a particular topic or that records their reactions and thoughts about a particular topic, which can foster a deeper engagement with the material.
Online portfolios are accessible to students at all levels of learning. They allow students to take control of how they engage with material and showcase their understanding of a subject. This promotes interaction with content disseminated in the classroom on all learning levels.