Why use Portfolios in Physical Education?

Portfolios help students to be empowered and motivated to learn and participate in Physical Education. The content within the individualized and unique portfolios of each student, allow young athletes to focus on the importance of motor abilities, sport skills, strategies, and rules. Goals can be made prior to each unit within the Phys. Ed. curriculum, and students can monitor their progress and reflect throughout the unit to help them reach their desired goal or goals. Students who are given the opportunity to take ownership of their own learning will become stronger, more engaged students (Cobb, 1996).

General Purposes of Athletic Portfolios:

1) Students can keep track of their individual progress.

2) Students are provided with the opportunity to assess their accomplishments.

3) Students are encouraged to set goals, and evaluate if those goals are met.

4) Parents can be involved in their child's progress.

Specific Purposes of Athletic Portfolios:

1) Portfolios promote healthy lifestyles.

2) Help communicate students strengths and weaknesses in gross and fine motor skills.

3) Help with determining degrees of social and personal development.

(Cobb, 1996).