When?

In an age of growing paperwork, there may be some reluctance to add to it. Besides, it has been argued that academics are not trained stocktakers and their time is better spent in engaging stimulating research and doing rather than documenting the teaching. However, there are counter-arguments. For instance, academia must keep pace with the practices and professionalism of other enterprises. And documentation is not mere pen-pushing; systematising the account of one’s teaching does help to focus and sustain efforts at improving teaching. Just as a writer finds keeping a notebook or journal useful, so teachers may find that keeping a teaching portfolio supports intellectual as well as professional growth.

Bear in mind too that for it to be truly meaningful, a teaching portfolio must be responsive to and document changes over time. Regular updating is important. This is reasonably easy with a word processor, and if items relating to teaching are routinely deposited into a file.

Undeniably some effort is involved, but feedback from those who have adopted the teaching portfolio is highly positive. As such, the creating and maintaining of a teaching portfolio is well worth thinking seriously about, and acting upon.

What? | Why? | How? | When? | Tips on Maintenance