Many courses and programs at Capilano University include student portfolios as part of their curriculum. But what is it that makes a portfolio such a powerful tool for teaching and learning? It’s a practice often called folio thinking.
What is Folio Thinking?
Folio thinking refers to the intentional, structured use of portfolios to encourage deeper learning and self-reflection. It’s more than gathering artifacts. It’s a reflective process, asking students to actively engage with their academic, personal, and professional development. Students document their work and think critically about the significance and relevance of each piece, creating a dynamic, ever-evolving narrative of learning.
This process can also help with your own professional growth as an educator. Adopting folio thinking as part of teaching practice can foster a culture of intentional, reflective learning about your own teaching practice and goals as an educator. If you have a profile on LinkedIn, you’ve probably already been doing some folio thinking.
Research Evidence
Research has shown that folio thinking can boost engagement, enhance metacognitive skills, and improve students’ academic performance (Eynon, Gambino, & Török, 2014). By guiding students through the reflective practice of portfolio building, you can help them cultivate skills that go beyond course objectives, encouraging the development of lifelong learning habits. It can also help you see how your students’ work connects across different contexts, helping you align your teaching with outcomes that truly impact students’ long-term goals. A 2015 study by Buyarski and Landis reveals that portfolios contribute to students’ ability to articulate skills and reflect on experiences—skills that are increasingly important in a quickly changing world.
Next Steps
Interested in learning more about how to use Portfolios in your own teaching and learning? Check out these resources and reach out to the Centre for Teaching Excellence to meet with an Educational Developer.
And be sure to save the date for the first Annual CapU Symposium on ePortfolios, a half day event to celebrate the last decade of ePortfolios at CapU and look ahead to the next decade: May 2, 2025. Stay tuned for more details!
Ready to do a deeper dive? Here is some additional reading about folio thinking available from the CapU Library:
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