Embedding reflection in the curriculum through MyPDP

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• Embedding reflection in the curriculum through
  MyPDP
• Fiona Smith, Ben Brock and Ed Hall
• Geography, University of Dundee

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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).

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Home page of Dundees My PDP resource presented
via Blackboard Academic Suite? and viewed within
Microsoft? Internet Explorer ?
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Example of a life science students PDP portfolio
constructed using templates provided within the
My PDP resource
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Motivations for piloting MyPDP in Geography
Institution and outside university
Discipline
Personal pathway -
Level 1
Vacation or Part-time work
Fundamentals of Geography
Personal Development Portfolio
Written work
Sports clubs
Laboratory and field work
Representation
Level 2
Analysis, Presentation skills
Career planning or Internship Module
Geographical sub-disciplines
Volunteering
Level 3
Research skills
Mentoring evaluation
Specialist modules
Placement or internship
Societies
Level 4
Independent field work
Problem-solving
Enterprise Gym
Online professional portfolio
Dissertation
Attributes - teamwork, financial, empathy,
problem solving, creative, ambitious,
self-motivated, reliable, ethical, diligent
Knowledge and skills human geography, physical
geography, communicate, laboratory skills, report
writing, IT skills, research skills, analysis,
critical thinking
Graduation
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• 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

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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

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Evaluation Students

• Level 1
• Activities are
• like school dont 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

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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?

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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?

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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

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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?