Students in certification programs are required to develop and maintain a teaching portfolio. At UW-Madison, this teaching portfolio will be electronic (an "e-portfolio") for students in most programs. The teaching portfolio has several purposes. First, as a tool for teacher learning, growth, and development, a teaching portfolio is intended to support students' efforts to become thoughtful and effective teachers. Second, the portfolio documents that students have satisfactorily met the UW-Madison Teacher Education Standards required for initial teacher certification in Wisconsin. It helps to demonstrate students' achievement of these knowledge and performance standards. Third, the portfolio may be used in the job search process upon completion of the program. Finally, the methods and concepts that students learn in authoring their e-portfolios enhance their technical literacy.
Portfolios are made up of a variety of "artifacts" which students have chosen from their educational experiences to best represent their growth and development as teachers. Such artifacts include lesson plans, classroom observations, student work, photographs, and video and audio footage. These documents provide evidence for students' work in the schools, community involvement, completion of course work, and fulfillment of UW-Madison Teacher Education Standards.
Additional information about the teaching portfolios used in UW-Madison teacher education programs may be found at this link.