How do I create an Evaluation Portfolio as an instructor?

Evaluation Portfolios allow instructors to support structured assessment and track learner progress over time.

  • Portfolios can be generated using one or more Canvas courses as their foundation, with links to key assignments and competencies.
  • Educators can establish evidence requirements to align expectations and support consistent demonstration of competencies.
  • Align portfolio evidence with institutional competencies to help learners demonstrate specific skills and knowledge.
  • Monitor progress with real-time visibility into submission status and portfolio completion.
  • Streamline grading by reviewing Portfolio evidence, such as projects, extracurricular activities, and professional experience, directly within the Portfolio. Evidence can be marked Complete or Not Complete, and educators can leave messages on custom evidence to provide feedback to learners.
  • Review learner reflections and narratives to better understand learning and growth.
  • Support feedback and iteration with options for revisions and resubmissions.

Notes:

  • If a course is inactive or deleted, any assignments from that course included as Portfolio requirements will not be visible to learners.
  • Learners can only see assignments from courses in which they are enrolled.
  • A single portfolio can be assigned to up to 5,000 learners. Educators can create up to 500 active Evaluation Portfolios, with both published and draft portfolios counting toward this limit.
  • Once an Evaluation Portfolio is published, it can no longer be edited.
Open Portfolio Link

In the User Navigation menu, click your Account [1], then click the Portfolio link [2].

Create Portfolio

Create Portfolio

To create a guided portfolio, click the Create evaluation portfolio.

Select Course Modal

Select Course Modal

Select one or more courses to assign a Portfolio [1]. Students enrolled in those courses are automatically assigned to the Evaluation Portfolio.

Instructors can select courses from multiple terms [2], allowing assignments from different terms to be included as portfolio requirements. These courses also automatically enroll learners in the Portfolio.

Create Evaluation Portfolio Fields

Create Evaluation Portfolio Fields

To create an Evaluation Portfolio, add a Portfolio name [1], optional Cover image [2], and Instructions [3].

Add Evidence Requirement

Add Evidence Requirement

To add an evidence requirement to a portfolio, click the Add requirement link [1], then choose to Add assignment from course[2] or Create new requirement [3].

For more information on adding evidence, see How do I add to an Evaluation Portfolio as an instructor?

Add and Manage Sections

Add and Manage Sections

To create a section, click the Add section link [1]. To order or delete sections, click the Manage sections link [2].

Manage Courses

Manage Courses

To add or remove courses in an evaluation portfolio draft, click the Manage courses button.

Note: Once an Evaluation Portfolio is published, its courses cannot be edited.

Save and Publish Portfolio

Save and Publish Portfolio

To save a portfolio as a draft, click the Save as draft button [1]. Click the Publish portfolio button [2] to to finalize and share your portfolio.

Note: Once an Evaluation Portfolio is published, it can no longer be edited. Make sure all content is complete and ready before publishing. Publishing also assigns the portfolio to learners, making it available to them as an assigned item.