How do I use Portfolios as a student?
Canvas offers two types of portfolios to support both learner-driven and instructor-guided use cases: Showcase Portfolio and Evaluation Portfolio. These tools support storytelling, assessment, and the validation of competencies.
Showcase Portfolios helps you to tell your own stories and highlight growth beyond the classroom.
- Enables you to build personalized portfolios organized by theme, experience, or timeline.
- Support multiple evidence types, including Canvas submissions, media uploads, and reflections.
- Let you use tags to emphasize competencies and themes, aligning their work with personal or professional goals.
- Offer export options as PDF or HTML, and allow bulk downloading of uploaded portfolio files.
- Facilitate external sharing through public links or direct publishing to LinkedIn.
Notes:
- If the Portfolio feature does not appear in your account, it hasn't been enabled by your institution.
- Email and In app notifications are not currently supported.
Open Portfolio Page
If enabled by your institution, click the Portfolio link [1] in the Global Navigation menu. In the Portfolios page, you can view instructor-assigned Evaluation Portfolios [2] and your own Showcase Portfolios [3]. To create a new Showcase Portfolio, click the Create portfolio button [4].
Create Portfolio Page
You can add a Portfolio Name [1], Cover Image [2] and a Description [3].
Add Evidence Options
To include evidence in a portfolio, click the Add Evidence link [1], then choose to Add Assignment from Course [2] or Create New Evidence [3]. To organize content, click the Add Section link [4].
Add Section Modal
You can organize content by creating custom sections based on themes, timelines, or categories.
View Portfolio Action Buttons
Once a portfolio is complete, you can Delete [1], Export [2], Share [3], or Edit [4] your work. Portfolios can be exported in multiple formats, including PDF, HTML, or as a bulk file download. When sharing a portfolio, you can either generate a unique public link or share directly to LinkedIn.
View Teacher-Assigned Portfolio Instructions
In teacher-created portfolios, you can view the Portfolio Instructions [1] and Evidence Requirements [2], then begin submitting your work.
Submitting a Course Assignment
To submit or view the Canvas Assignment, click the Go to Assignment button.
Submitting a Project, Extracurricular Activity and Professional experience
In your Portfolio, read the general instructions [1], then open the assigned project in Evidence Requirements [2]. In the project tray, review the project instructions [3], add Evidence Details [4] and any supporting materials. Click Save as Draft button [5] to continue later, or the Submit button [6] to submit the assignment.
Manage Portfolio Comments
You can revise and resubmit portfolio entries based on instructor feedback [1]. Status indicators provide real-time updates, showing which items are submitted for review and which have been marked complete [2].
