An Art Portfolio Creative Adventure: Giving Students Voice and Choice with Interactive Workbooks
Back in 2018, I had a lightbulb moment at ISTE while presenting in Apple’s space-themed Everyone Can Create experience. Teachers were captivated by the Pages learning journal, which let them explore, create, and reflect in dynamic ways. I was too! I knew I needed something like it for my art students—something they could continually build on, with real choice in how they shared their learning. And so, my interactive workbooks were born!
I set to work, and created an Art Portfolio for my elementary students. Using Page Templates, I was able to give them a completely customizable experience...building their portfolio as they went, adding page after page, and choosing how they'd reflect -- in writing, audio, or video. My students loved it and their parents did too! It was a favorite at parent teacher conferences and I loved hearing the stories and thoughts behind every project each student created. a few years later, when I was assigned to teach a high school class using Standards Based Grading, I adapted it...and was thrilled with the results when I got to know my students and their thoughts on their art, on a much deeper level.
A Game-Changing Moment in the Elementary Classroom
One of my absolute favorite moments with these interactive workbooks happened in my elementary classroom. A student, known more for his strong opinions and challenging behavior than his love of schoolwork, took one look at the learning journal and announced, "There ain't no way I'm typing that."
But when I told him he could record his thoughts instead? He squinted at me, skeptical. "Soooo... I don’t have to type if I do that?"
Nope! The choice was his. He grabbed his iPad, curled up in the front of the room near my projector screen, and got to work. Twenty minutes later, he strutted up to me, iPad in hand, and declared, "It’s done."
When I held the iPad to my ear, he said "I didn't think you'd actually listen to it!" Of course I would! I hesitated as I hit play, unsure what to expect. But what I heard? Pure gold. He had carefully recorded his reflections, sharing thoughtful insights about his artwork, even on projects he struggled with or that weren't quite finished. He did the work. He exceeded expectations. And when I told him how amazing it was, he beamed. A kid who rarely gets recognition was standing there, filled with pride. That moment? That’s why this kind of choice in learning matters.
High School: Where Creativity Knows No Limits
At the high school level, these interactive workbooks have unlocked even more student creativity. One student decided to create a TikTok-style video for her reflection. It was clever, engaging, and totally her. Later, I found out she was in the process of being placed on an IEP due to challenges with reading and writing. I never would have known—because she had the opportunity to express herself in a way that played to her strengths.
Her art was phenomenal —college level if I'm totally honest— and her reflection was well-explained. And because I let her showcase her learning in a way that worked for her, she didn’t just scrape by—she shined. She earned the A she truly deserved, and she owned every bit of it.
Why Choice in Learning is Everything
Writing is important, sure. But what’s more important? Making sure students are seen, heard, and given the tools they need to succeed. In an art class, I don’t need to assess writing skills—I need to assess creativity, growth, and reflection. And that can look different for every student. These workbook journals provide the perfect mix of structure and freedom, letting students take charge of how they express their learning.
With page designs that can be added as templates, students can mix and match elements to personalize their experience. Want to type? Great. Prefer to record a podcast-style reflection? Go for it. Feel like making a mini-documentary about your creative process? Even better. The possibilities are endless.
If you’re looking for a way to help students showcase their art their way, give these interactive workbooks a try. You might just witness some of the most incredible moments of student engagement, creativity, and pride—just like I did. And trust me, it’s so worth it.
The Portfolio Workbook Learning Journals are attached to this post! Feel free to use and come back to share how it goes! I'd love to hear!
March 29, 2025
This is marvellous, Bethany! 🌟 I love everything about it: choice, creativity, reflections, and so much more — all using Pages on iPad! Incredible work! 👏
And, thanks for sharing your Portfolio template with everyone!
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