ISLE PDP/ePortfolios Practice
The ISLE PDP/ePortfolio practice template – Phase 2
This template is designed to encourage you to reflect on how you implemented PDP activities supported by
the ePortfolio system and then to share the outcomes with other practitioners across the UK tertiary sector.
Some depth of analysis is required in order for others to engage with the experiences described; it is advised
that practice descriptions submitted for use by the ISLE project are approximately 750 words in length.
Tutor name
Student group
Course title and SCQF level. Include the
module/unit if appropriate.
Isobel MacIntosh
HNC/HND Computing
SCQF 7/8
Institution name
Dumfries and Galloway College
Background
Give brief details of the learners’ age
profile, mode of attendance and learning
environment in which the implementation
took place, e.g. what ePortfolio was used,
did the students attend scheduled
sessions, what resources were used, how
was the activity assessed?
Intended outcome(s)
Describe the objective(s) behind the
implementation of PDP, e.g. Improving the
learning experience, preparing for
transition between levels or to another
institution, integrating PDP into the
curriculum, use of diagnostic testing,
changes in student support models
The challenge(s)
Describe any issues that presented
barriers to implementation and what steps
you took to over come or circumvent them?
Full time students Age range : 19 – 47.
ISLE work was done during a weekly 1-hour tutorial session
in a computing lab. Wordpress system was used.
Web links were used for CV writing and personal assessment
for PDP.
This was not assessed.
Established practice
What practices would you now consider to
be established in your own practice
following the PDP implementation, i.e. what
are you doing now that you will definitely
want to do again or would be useful for
others to replicate
The ePortfolio advantage
Describe the benefits in the use of an
ePortfolio or similar tool in the support of
PDP experienced by learners, yourself and
other staff members.
Key points for effective practice
Summarise briefly the most important
points described above in the case study
for other practitioners – these may include
risks as well as benefits
Further information: Web:http://isle.paisley.ac.uk
Introducing the students to the idea of PDP
Integrating PDP into the curriculum.
Preparation for transition from HNC to work or further study.
To gain experience of building an e-portfolio
Using the tutorial hour was not ideal as there are other
demands on that time and PDP came a poor second. I found it
difficult to get students to engage in PDP : The younger
students found it a difficult concept to plan ahead and the
older students didn’t see the need.
I found it difficult to point them in the right direction due to my
lack of experience of PDP.
PDP was new to me so had no idea which of the resources,
web sites etc would be of most use. The ones used were:
www.careers-scotland
for CV builder
www.bbc.co.uk/science for “what am I like?” personality test
www.kent.ac.uk/careers/ for Employability skills aptitude tests
If I was doing this again, I would focus on PDP activities more
strongly early on as the students needed to be guided through
it.
Using modern technology and students are familiar with
MySpace etc.
The e-portfolio acts as a central depository for students work
and they can easily add and update files.
The ability for the tutor to electronically monitor and provide
feedback is useful.
Students need to see PDP and e-portfolios as an integral part
of their course and for it’s use to be reinforced by the whole
course team.
Based on the JISC case study template
ISLE PDP/ePortfolios Practice
Conclusions and recommendations
A summary of how and why the practice
outlined here has been effective
My approach has not been effective due to various factors
already mentioned:
My lack of experience
The lack of a dedicated time slot
Students seeing PDP as an add-on to their course
A lack of enthusiasm among the students
I think if some of these matters were addressed the students
would see the e-portfolio as a means to create and maintain
an up-to-date record of their achievements, ideas and plans
and would see it developing as the college year progressed.
The fact that it is theirs to keep would be an added incentive
rather than thinking of it as a College based paper exercise.
Additional information
Use this optional section to add related
materials or content e.g. example PDP
activities or ePortfolio structure diagram,
examples of support materials provided to
staff or students
Further information: Web:http://isle.paisley.ac.uk
Based on the JISC case study template