As our kids get older keeping a portfolio becomes more important for keeping track of the curriculum, classes, and projects that you do. Keeping a digital portfolio means you can access it from anywhere. Share it with your child as they may need it for applying to colleges, universities, etc.
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Digital Portfolio Using Google
I am going to discuss how to create a low-cost traditional portfolio, but then I will explain how to maintain a digital portfolio for free.
There are many advantages to maintaining a digital portfolio, and at the top of the list is this: digital portfolios are completely free!
Types of Homeschool Portfolios
Traditional homeschool portfolios display a student’s work using a 3-ring binder, accordion file, file box, or scrapbook system. In fact, I have physical portfolios for each of my kids’ first few years of homeschooling. And then I realized how much space it was going to take up, and how much easier it is to maintain a digital portfolio.
Many homeschoolers use blogs as a means to document their homeschool journey. This is a fantastic way to keep family updated, and an easy way to keep records if you enjoy writing, photos, and feel comfortable with technology.
Instagram is a great visual way to document your homeschool. You can choose whether or not to keep it private. I use IG as a great way to look back and see what we have done through the year.
The best way I have found for keeping a digital portfolio for each of my kids however has been to use Google Drive. I have a folder for each of them where I keep a periodic log each year and can add work samples, pictures of projects we have done, etc.
Here are some ideas for what to include in your homeschool portfolio:
- Legal and other important documents (letter of intent, test results, immunization records, etc.)
- Curriculum used
- Learning objectives
- Work samples for all academic subjects
- Book logs
- Read aloud book log
- Individual student book logs
- Gameschooling log (yes, games count!)
- Extracurricular activities
- Monthly schedule/activity log
- Field trips
- Films and documentaries watched
- Live music and theater performances
- Awards and certificates
- Community service hours
- Tickets, brochures, and other memorabilia from field trips, vacations, and other adventures
- Artwork
- Photos of large projects
- Video of students reading aloud (this is easier with a digital portfolio)
- Videos of student presentations (this is easier with a digital portfolio)
- Fitness logs
- Video clips of academic skills (such as oral reading), sports performance, music performances, etc. (Again, easier with digital portfolios)
- Photos, photos, and more photos– because so much of homeschooling cannot be captured on paper!
More Information and Tips on Google Classroom
5 Beginner Tips for Google Classroom
How to Set up Google Classroom for Homeschool – Step by step setting up Google Classroom for Homeschool