In addition to a collection of students' work, most portfolios include a reflection piece. Self-reflection may have different meanings to different people depending on what they value as important and the intended use of the reflection. However, for those who believe the goal of assessment is to educate and not to audit, self-reflection is not an option but a necessary component of a portfolio.
Reflections give students an opportunity to learn about how they learn.
Students, for example, may be asked to justify the selections in their portfolios, including why they were chosen and how they demonstrate achievement of the learning outcomes. Reflections are rarely open-ended assignments. Students usually receive a rationale for writing the reflection and questions to guide them in the process.