Abstract
Workshop Overview:
This 50-minute interactive workshop explores the role of student engagement and partnership in enhancing learning, teaching, and assessment through authentic assessment strategies, with a particular focus on portfolio assessment. Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) principles of Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment, Supporting Student Success, Student Engagement and Partnership, and Enhancement and Quality Culture, the session highlights how co-created, meaningful assessment practices can foster deeper learning and inclusivity.
Portfolio assessment provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in their learning process, enabling them to take ownership of their progress, critically reflect on their achievements, and develop essential academic and professional competencies. Unlike traditional assessment methods, portfolios capture students’ learning journeys over time, allowing for a more holistic and personalised evaluation of their abilities. By incorporating real-world applications, portfolio-based assessment strengthens the connection between learning and employability, equipping students with transferable skills that prepare them for future challenges.
The workshop will examine practical examples of portfolio-based assessment in higher education, demonstrating how it can support student success by enhancing motivation, critical thinking, and self-regulation. Additionally, it will explore strategies for designing inclusive assessment tasks that reflect the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and aspirations of students, ensuring that learning remains equitable and accessible for all.
The discussion will also address potential challenges in implementing portfolio assessment and provide insights into overcoming barriers related to assessment design, feedback, and institutional adoption. By embedding student voices in assessment practices, educators can foster a culture of partnership and innovation that supports continuous learning and quality enhancement.
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of authentic assessment in higher education and to explore strategies that promote meaningful student engagement, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
Workshop Structure
Icebreaker Activity (5 minutes): Participants will engage in a word cloud activity (using Mentimeter) to share their understanding and experiences with authentic assessment and portfolio-based learning.
Case Studies & Group Discussions (15 minutes): The case studies of portfolio assessment in different disciplines will be presented, showcasing how this method supports critical reflection, student agency, and real-world learning. Participants will discuss in small groups how they currently assess students and whether their methods reflect authentic, student-centred approaches.
Collaborative Design Challenge (20 minutes): Groups will co-design a portfolio assessment framework for a hypothetical course, incorporating elements such as:
•Student-driven evidence collection
•Reflection and self-assessment
•Formative and summative assessment integration
Each group will present a 2-minute pitch on their designed portfolio assessment strategy.
Reflection & Action Planning (10 minutes): Participants will reflect on how they might implement portfolio assessment in their own teaching and outline one action to take forward. Padlet will be used to collect key insights and commitments.
Expected Outcomes:
•Participants will gain practical strategies for implementing portfolio assessment as an authentic and inclusive approach to student learning.
•The session will encourage knowledge exchange and peer learning, fostering a collaborative teaching culture.
•Attendees will leave with an actionable plan to enhance assessment practices in their own contexts.
The workshop is designed to be highly interactive, ensuring participants engage through discussion, co-creation, and reflection.
This 50-minute interactive workshop explores the role of student engagement and partnership in enhancing learning, teaching, and assessment through authentic assessment strategies, with a particular focus on portfolio assessment. Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework (TQEF) principles of Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Assessment, Supporting Student Success, Student Engagement and Partnership, and Enhancement and Quality Culture, the session highlights how co-created, meaningful assessment practices can foster deeper learning and inclusivity.
Portfolio assessment provides students with an opportunity to actively engage in their learning process, enabling them to take ownership of their progress, critically reflect on their achievements, and develop essential academic and professional competencies. Unlike traditional assessment methods, portfolios capture students’ learning journeys over time, allowing for a more holistic and personalised evaluation of their abilities. By incorporating real-world applications, portfolio-based assessment strengthens the connection between learning and employability, equipping students with transferable skills that prepare them for future challenges.
The workshop will examine practical examples of portfolio-based assessment in higher education, demonstrating how it can support student success by enhancing motivation, critical thinking, and self-regulation. Additionally, it will explore strategies for designing inclusive assessment tasks that reflect the diverse experiences, backgrounds, and aspirations of students, ensuring that learning remains equitable and accessible for all.
The discussion will also address potential challenges in implementing portfolio assessment and provide insights into overcoming barriers related to assessment design, feedback, and institutional adoption. By embedding student voices in assessment practices, educators can foster a culture of partnership and innovation that supports continuous learning and quality enhancement.
This workshop offers an opportunity to reflect on the role of authentic assessment in higher education and to explore strategies that promote meaningful student engagement, ultimately contributing to a more inclusive and effective learning environment.
Workshop Structure
Icebreaker Activity (5 minutes): Participants will engage in a word cloud activity (using Mentimeter) to share their understanding and experiences with authentic assessment and portfolio-based learning.
Case Studies & Group Discussions (15 minutes): The case studies of portfolio assessment in different disciplines will be presented, showcasing how this method supports critical reflection, student agency, and real-world learning. Participants will discuss in small groups how they currently assess students and whether their methods reflect authentic, student-centred approaches.
Collaborative Design Challenge (20 minutes): Groups will co-design a portfolio assessment framework for a hypothetical course, incorporating elements such as:
•Student-driven evidence collection
•Reflection and self-assessment
•Formative and summative assessment integration
Each group will present a 2-minute pitch on their designed portfolio assessment strategy.
Reflection & Action Planning (10 minutes): Participants will reflect on how they might implement portfolio assessment in their own teaching and outline one action to take forward. Padlet will be used to collect key insights and commitments.
Expected Outcomes:
•Participants will gain practical strategies for implementing portfolio assessment as an authentic and inclusive approach to student learning.
•The session will encourage knowledge exchange and peer learning, fostering a collaborative teaching culture.
•Attendees will leave with an actionable plan to enhance assessment practices in their own contexts.
The workshop is designed to be highly interactive, ensuring participants engage through discussion, co-creation, and reflection.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Number of pages | 2 |
| Publication status | Published - 18 Jun 2025 |
| Event | UWS Learning and Teaching Conference 2025: Students and Staff at the Heart of UWS - University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, London, United Kingdom Duration: 18 Jun 2025 → 26 Jun 2025 https://studentmailuwsac.sharepoint.com/sites/connect/_layouts/15/Event.aspx?ListGuid=cbe7642c-c94d-4fef-9750-b313e726ef1c&ItemId=260 |
Conference
| Conference | UWS Learning and Teaching Conference 2025 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | United Kingdom |
| City | Paisley, London |
| Period | 18/06/25 → 26/06/25 |
| Internet address |
Keywords
- portfolio assessment
- authentic assessment
- student-centered learning
- student engagement
- higher education
- Tertiary Quality Enhancement Framework