Canvas Portfolio Tool (Faculty Guide)

Overview

Canvas offers two types of portfolios:

• Showcase Portfolio – Student-created and student-managed
• Evaluation Portfolio – Instructor-created and tied to course assignments

This guide focuses on Evaluation Portfolios, which allow you to automatically collect and assess student work.

Step 1: Enable Portfolios in Course Navigation

1. Go to your Course
2. Click Settings
    Note: Located in your course Navigation on the left.
   
3. Select the Navigation tab.
   
4. Locate Portfolios and Click the  Display for Students Check Box.
   
    
5. Click Save
   

Step 2: Create an Evaluation Portfolio

1. Click Portfolios in the course navigation
   
2. Select Create New Portfolio
3. Search for and select your course
   • (Optional) Add multiple courses if needed
4. Enter a Portfolio Name
5. Add Directions for students

Step 3: Add a Cover Image

• Upload a cover image (required)
  
• Click + Add Cover Image
  
• Select Upload
  
• Drag or Drop Image File onto the Upload Files Window

Edit Your Cover Image

1. Click image with your mouse to move/rotate it
2. Adjust image zoom toggle
3. Adjust rotation toggle to reposition image
4. Add alternative text for accessibility
5. Select Save

NOTE: Use a wide/banner-style image for best results

Side By Side Comparison Portfolio Projects with(1) and Without(2) Banner Images. 

IMPORTANT! You can not add a cover image after Publishing a Portfolio Project!

Step 4: Add Evidence Requirements

Evidence requirements define what students must include.

Option A: Use Existing Assignments (Recommended)

1. Click Add Requirement
   
2. Select Add Assignment from Course.
   
3. Choose one or more assignments
   
4. Click Add
   

Best practice: This automatically pulls in student submissions—no extra work for students.

Option B: Create a New Requirement

1. Click Create New Requirement.
   
2. Create a custom item (not tied to an assignment)
    
3. Add:
   • Title
   • Instructions
   • Skills (optional)

Note: These are not graded and do not appear in the student to-do list.

Step 5: Organize Sections

1. Click Add Section
2. Enter a section name (e.g., Projects, Work Experience)
3. Assign requirements to each section
4. Repeat as needed

Optional:

• Use Manage Sections to reorder or reorganize content

Step 6: Publish the Portfolio

1. Click Publish Portfolio

This assigns the portfolio to all students
Students will access it via the Portfolios link (not Modules or Assignments)

Step 7: Student Experience (What to Expect)

Students will:

• Click Portfolios in course navigation
• View assigned portfolios and status indicators:
  • Completed – Graded assignment
  • In Progress – Submitted, not graded
  • Pending – Not yet available
  • Not Complete – Missing/not submitted

For custom requirements, students can:

• Add text/reflection
• Upload files
• Add links
• Collaborate with peers (optional)
• Submit their work

Students can also:

• Export portfolio (PDF or HTML)
• Share via a public link

Step 8: Review Student Portfolios

1. Open the Portfolio
2. View student list and progress statuses
3. Click on a student’s portfolio

For each requirement:

1. Open the submission
2. Choose a status:
   • Complete
   • Not Complete
   • Request Revision
3. Add comments (optional)
4. Click Submit Review

Note: Assignment-based items are already graded—no need to re-evaluate them.

Step 9: Monitor Progress

• View overall class progress from the portfolio dashboard
• Identify:
  • Not started
  • In progress
  • Completed portfolios
• Generate reports for larger classes

Have Questions? Contact the Academic Technology Support Team 
 
atst@spcollege.edu

 Phone at 727-341-3500

(Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. EST).
After-hours or weekend assistance? Contact the Technical Support Center

Phone at 727-791-2795 or onlinehelp@spcollege.edu

Want to Schedule a One-on-One or Group Session on Canvas or other instructional technology issues or opportunities?

Schedule 1:1 Support Help with a Member of the Academic Technology Support Team