This is the online version of the paper that I wrote to accompany a course project I designed as my final project / thesis. This was presented to California State University, Hayward for the Master's in Education with an emphasis in Online Teaching and Learning.

The paper argues that if portfolios are to be used successfully in assessment, then the students and teachers must participate in developing the crtiteria by which the portfolio will be judged. This is accomplished through the development of a rubric, that is, a guide (usually in a grid or table) that shows the criteria by which work is judged. In this way, students, teachers, facilitators, parents, and administrators all have some investment in the assessment process. I also feel that it is an important means of utilizing the constructivist approach to course development. The students get an opportunity bring their prior knowledge and experience into the course through their participation in the customization of the course assessment.