The document discusses personal development planning (PDP) and the use of e-portfolios in physical science disciplines. It notes that PDP works best when linked to course objectives, integrated into the course structure and timetable, supported, and valued by both staff and students. It also highlights skills identified in benchmarks for various physical science disciplines that can be developed through PDP. Finally, it provides an overview of an e-portfolio framework being developed to support PDP in physical sciences courses.
10. Transferable Skills in QAA Benchmarks ‘Workin a team’ (Materials Science Benchmark) ‘Plan to improve your own performance’ (Engineering Benchmark) ‘Listen carefully’ (Physics and Astronomy Benchmark) ‘Time management’ (Chemistry Benchmark)
In our project, we couldn’t hope to influence all of these factors but we could succeed with the first one which would in turn influence the apparent value to staff and students.PDP – it’s a requirement; the argument about whether it should be done is pastA lot of what is often thought of as the preserve of PDP can be found in the course content (see benchmarks); if it’s required in the course then you have to cover it (staff or student), no argumentAlso, is in line with the kind of skills employers say they want and sometimes find lacking in graduates.If it’s taught by someone outside their discipline beware, it looks less like part of the course and that question comes back (PDP works best when integrated)If it’s taught in a separate class outside the main timetable beware, it looks like an add-onIf it’s given no time on the timetable beware, it looks like you give it less value than timetabled items
Paperwork can be helpful!QAA Benchmarks for the ‘hard’ sciences are full of transferable skills like these.Where there is no benchmark look to: course documentation employers’ statements on skills needed/missing professional bodies
In our project, we couldn’t hope to influence all of these factors but we could succeed with the first one which would in turn influence the apparent value to staff and students.PDP – it’s a requirement; the argument about whether it should be done is pastA lot of what is often thought of as the preserve of PDP can be found in the course content (see benchmarks); if it’s required in the course then you have to cover it (staff or student), no argumentAlso, is in line with the kind of skills employers say they want and sometimes find lacking in graduates.If it’s taught by someone outside their discipline beware, it looks less like part of the course and that question comes back (PDP works best when integrated)If it’s taught in a separate class outside the main timetable beware, it looks like an add-onIf it’s given no time on the timetable beware, it looks like you give it less value than timetabled items
UG Chemistry Framework on Hull’s Department of Chemistry web site(no e-portfolio system and about to change VLEs)Comprises: skills in a spreadsheet (with skills/evidence rating built in) zipped set of folders for evidence storage student help sheet (academic help sheet also available)
UG Chemistry Framework on Hull’s Department of Chemistry web site(no e-portfolio system and about to change VLEs)Comprises: skills in a spreadsheet (with skills/evidence rating built in) zipped set of folders for evidence storage student help sheet (academic help sheet also available)