What does reviewing academic portfolios help students develop?

Reviewing academic portfolios is a dynamic process that fosters a variety of skills, most notably goal-setting skills. When students engage in portfolio reviews, they are encouraged to reflect on their past work, articulate their learning achievements, and identify areas for growth. This reflective practice promotes the setting of specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals, as students must consider what they have accomplished and what they aspire to achieve in the future.

Additionally, by analyzing their own work and comparing it to established standards or the work of their peers, students gain insights that help them to set realistic objectives for their academic and personal development. This process ultimately empowers them to take ownership of their educational journey, creating a framework for future planning and progress monitoring.

While the other skills listed may also be developed in various educational activities, goal-setting stands out as a primary focus of the portfolio review process. Through consistent engagement with their portfolios, students learn to strategize effectively towards their objectives, making goal-setting a critical component of their learning experience.