Embedding reflection in the curriculum through MyPDP

Fiona Smith, Ben Brock and Ed Hall

Geography, University of Dundee

Background

• University of Dundee– Blackboard Academic Suite ePortfolios adopted.– MyPDP = My Personal Development Portfolio

AND/OR My Professional Development Portfolio– Developed through Careers and Learning Centre– Available to all students since 2005.

• Pilot Projects in Disciplines under SHEEN Project (2007 onwards).

Home page of Dundee’s My PDP resource presented via Blackboard Academic Suite and viewed within Microsoft Internet Explorer

Example of a life science student’s PDP portfolio constructed using templates provided within the My PDP resource

Motivations for piloting MyPDP in Geography

Discipline Personal pathway - Institution and

outside universityLevel 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 4

Graduation

Career planning or Internship Module

Placement or internship

Vacation or Part-time work

Enterprise Gym

Representation

Societies

Sports clubs

Volunteering

Independent field work

Research skills

Laboratory and field work

Written work

Dissertation

Analysis, Presentation skills

Specialist modules

Fundamentals of Geography Personal

Development Portfolio

Online professional portfolio

Geographical sub-disciplines

Problem-solving

Mentoring evaluation

Knowledge and skills – human geography, physical geography, communicate, laboratory skills, report writing, IT skills, research skills,

analysis, critical thinking

Attributes - teamwork, financial, empathy, problem solving, creative, ambitious, self-motivated, reliable,

ethical, diligent

• PEG programme• Branded for Geography• Building on existing elements of Geography

curriculum• 2007-08 innovation = use of MyPDP to

develop student reflection on learning and personal development

• Not assessed but is linked to curriculum activities

PEG at a glance Timing Event Level 1 Semester 1: Introduction to PEG - Induction MyPDP templates – 2x Workshops Skills in Geography Workshop Semester 2: MyPDP templates – Group Project Careers Planning/Work Experience Seminar Level 2 Semester 1: Careers Talk - Induction Internship/Career Planning Module – optional module choices Semester 2: Geography and Careers Lecture Forward planning for Level 3 Level 3 Semester 1: Careers Talk - Induction MyBenidorm – MyPDP templates, fieldtrip MyPDP Workshop Semester 2: Dissertation Induction and Dissertation Progress Form Level 4 Semester 1: Careers Talk - Induction Professional and Employability Skills in Geography Seminars MyPDP Workshop

Using MyPDP…

• In Level 1, semester 1– Induction session– Two templates for workshop activities and related

assessment• Writing skills• Data analysis skills

– Workshop completing portfolio at end of module

• In Level 3– Careers induction and MyPDP induction in weeks 1-3

(part of overall level 3 induction)– Spain field trip – MyPDP template on field

work and team working skills

Evaluation – Students

• Level 1:– Activities are

• ‘like school’; ‘don’t see the point’• disconnected from Geography studies• C. 35% saw some use in the exercises

– Otherwise very positive module evaluation– Around 50% completion– Some reflection, but can be limited

• Level 3 Students:– Much more willing– Some elements of reflection, but can still be basic

Evaluation – Staff

• Learning curve for staff• Technical issues

• New software, new methods• Template design

– Too much text, too many questions

• Pedagogic issues • ‘Adding’ to an already full curriculum• Relevance to each year group

– Moving from transition to university to careers; developing reflective learning over time

• Does it actually promote professionalism and employability?

Evaluation – Generic

• Problems with wider design and interface– Set up is often counter-intuitive. – Format options are limited – new work being

done by School of Design on this.

• How useful is MyPDP for reflective learning?– Good students versus weaker ones?– Compare to use of blogs or other activities

• How to make it sustainable…?

Next steps for 2008-09

• Scale down demands on students (and staff)• Adjust focus in Level 1 to transition to University

• MyPDP in Advising System• Getting started in Geography

• Avoid ‘PEG’ branding – integrate into curriculum• MyPDP is only part of wider innovations in

programme:• Placements and internships• Award-winning Level 3 Research in Human Geography

module - real-world clients

Next steps…

• Re-focus on what ‘professionalism and employability’ might mean for Geographers

• MyPDP in itself is not ‘the’ solution to developing reflection – can we make it work better?– Does the format itself limit reflection and can it be

improved? How can it be more student-centred?• relies on staff providing templates

– Is Level 1 too early?– Are other formats (e.g. blogs) or in-class

engagements more beneficial?