wyvern:extra
New scheme to aid PDP
A pilot scheme involving a new
ePortfolio system to support personal development planning (PDP) has
proved so successful during the autumn term that it is hoped it will be
rolled out across all departments by October 2007.
myLife has been developed by the Learning and
Teaching Unit (LTU) in line with the Higher Education Funding Council for
England (HEFCE) requirement that all institutions provide students with
the opportunity to engage in PDP.
As well as making it available to all students
and staff through the myEssex student portal, the LTU has been working
with six departments on a pilot scheme to embed the ePortfolio in the
curriculum.
Rob Mossop, ePortfolio Officer, explained:
‘myLife enables students to have their own personal online space where
they can bring together every aspect of their academic and personal lives,
and think about where they want to go, how they will get there, and how
they will overcome any challenges along the way.
‘It encourages students to recognise the
progress they are making and take full advantage of the support available
to them. They can also share parts of their ePortfolio with tutors,
friends and prospective employers to gain valuable feedback and showcase
their skills and achievements.’
By the next academic year, the University
plans to have myLife rolled out to all departments and centres, although
there is still an opportunity for interested departments to become
involved this year, and more formal training is planned in the New Year.
Staff are also invited to encourage students to take advantage of the
ePortfolio even if it is not being integrated with the curriculum.
To find out more contact Nicky Billam, e-mail
njbrya@essex.ac.uk, or Rob Mossop,
e-mail rwmoss@essex.ac.uk, or see
http://mylife.essex.ac.uk.
See also:
