Canvas Portfolio Guide

Overview 

Canvas Portfolio allows students and instructors to create digital collections of work to showcase learning, reflect on progress, and share accomplishments. Portfolio facilitates single- or multi-course assessments, aligns evidence to competencies, and integrates directly with grading tools like SpeedGrader. Portfolio is available within your Canvas account and can be used for academic, professional, or personal purposes. You can choose to keep your portfolio private or share it publicly with a unique link. 

Folio (Portfolium) will be retired on June 30, 2026. Current users are encouraged to save content outside of Folio and consider transitioning to Portfolio.  

---

For Instructors 

Purpose and Uses 

Instructors can use Canvas portfolios to: 

• Encourage students to document their learning over time. 

• Assess student growth and mastery of learning outcomes. 

• Support capstone, practicum, or internship courses that require reflection and evidence of work. 

• Build their own professional teaching portfolio. 

How to Access Portfolios 

1. Log in to Canvas. 

2. Click Portfolio on the global navigation menu. 

3. Authorize PDX tool to access your account (first time use) in the popup menu. 

4. Click Create a Showcase or Evaluation Portfolio to begin. 

Creating and Managing Portfolios 

• Name Your Portfolio: Give it a clear title that reflects the course or purpose. 

• Set Privacy Options: You can make the portfolio public (accessible by link) or keep it private. 

• Add Sections and Pages: Organize your portfolio into categories such as Teaching Philosophy, Sample Assignments, or Student Feedback. 

• Add Artifacts: Upload files, images, or link to course submissions directly from Canvas. 

Evaluation Portfolios 

Evaluation Portfolios allow you to support structured assessment and track student progress over time. 

• Portfolios can be generated using one or more Canvas courses as their foundation, with links to key assignments and competencies. 

• You can establish evidence requirements to align expectations and support consistent demonstration of competencies. 

• Align portfolio evidence with institutional competencies to help students demonstrate specific skills and knowledge. 

• Monitor progress with real-time visibility into submission status and portfolio completion. 

• Streamline grading by using portfolio tasks with Canvas assignments and SpeedGrader. 

• Review student reflections and narratives to better understand learning and growth. 

• Support feedback and iteration with options for revisions and resubmissions. 

Instructor Tips 

• Encourage students to include reflective writing to demonstrate learning progress. 

• Provide rubric-based feedback if portfolios are part of course assessment. 

• Periodically export or save your own portfolio content for long-term use outside of Canvas. 

 

For Students 

Purpose and Uses 

Canvas portfolios help you: 

• Showcase your academic projects, research, and reflections. 

• Create a professional online presence for job or graduate school applications. 

• Track personal growth and learning achievements throughout your studies. 

• Share work from multiple courses in one central place. 

How to Create a Portfolio 

1. Log in to Canvas. 

2. Click Portfolio on the global navigation menu. 

3. Authorize PDX tool to access your account (first time use) in the popup menu. 

4. Click Create a Showcase Portfolio to begin. 

5. Enter a title and choose whether to make it public or private. 

6. Click Make Portfolio to start building. 

Adding Content 

• Click Edit This Page to begin adding text, images, or links. 

• Use Upload File to attach documents or media. 

• Add Course Submissions directly from your Canvas assignments. 

• Use Add Section to organize different topics or projects. 

Sharing Your Portfolio 

• If your portfolio is public, you’ll see a Share URL. Copy and share this link with instructors, peers, or potential employers. 

• For private portfolios, you’ll need to grant access manually. 

• You can also download your portfolio to keep a personal copy. 

Student Tips 

• Use consistent formatting (headings, colors, and images) for a professional look. 

• Include short reflections explaining what each artifact demonstrates. 

• Update your portfolio regularly, especially before graduation or job applications. 

 

Additional Resources 

• How to use Portfolios as a student?  

• How to use Portfolios as an instructor? 

• Canvas Basics Guide  

 

Get Help from Canvas 

• Live chat with Canvas support (Students) 

•  Get 24-hours/7-days a week Canvas support 

• Dial the Canvas Support Hotline number located under "Get Help" in the Canvas Global Navigation Menu 

• Contact OIT at 740-593-1222 for questions related to logging in, manually created courses, or third-party tools (Panopto, VoiceThread, Inclusive Access, etc.) 

 

Get Help from OIT 

• Use the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS) ticket form to submit a help ticket 

• Enroll in the Passport to Canvas student training course 

 

Accessibility 

Ohio University strives to make its digital resources and services accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities who may also be using assistive technology. If special steps are necessary in order to improve the accessibility of experiences for end-users, those steps must be taken. 
 
If you experience a barrier that affects your ability to access OHIO websites, videos, online forums, documents, or other information technology, please let us know. 
For further information about OHIO's digital accessibility resources, see: 

• Digital Accessibility 

• Office for University Accessibility 

• Student Accessibility Services 

• Ohio University's IT Accessibility Policy 

 

Security 

The Ohio University Information Security Office strives to educate and empower the University community to appropriately manage risks and protect OHIO’s information and systems. This effort is facilitated through policies, standards, and information security risk management program, as well as other tools and guidance that are provided to the University community. This modern approach creates a safe computing environment in which the University community can teach, learn, and conduct research. 

For additional information about OHIO’s security resources, see: 

• Resources for students 

• Resources for faculty and staff 

• Resources for researchers