Presentation to Durham BB Conference 2014. "Supporting reflective learing through technology - Newcastle University's implementation of ePortfolio."

1. Supporting reflective learning through
technology.
Newcastle University's implementation of
ePortfolio.
Graeme Boxwell & Dr Franck Michel
Newcastle University
08/01/14

2. Two faces of ePortfolios
Learning /
Reflective
Tool
In-house development
Showcase
Tool

3. Ownership of the ePortfolio
Not linked to a specific module or course
 Student decides what to share and with
whom
 Key ethos of our ePortfolio


4. Where are we now?
Implementation pilots
 Communication plan
 Evaluation
 Personal Tutoring
 Full rollout


5. Main challenges
Size of institution
 Digital literacy / Reflection
 Resistance


6. Solutions
Quality of the tool
 Implementation process
 Personal Tutoring
 Senior Management


7. Key Drivers
Project 2012 – The ‘Offer’
 What does Newcastle University offer
prospective undergraduate students for
their fee and how do we deliver on what we
promise?


8. Continuing access
Why?
 Developments
 Pilot


9. The Year Abroad ePortfolio (YAeP)
The SML Year Abroad at Newcastle
University
 The YAeP – Pilot stage 2011-12
 Pilot aims and objectives:



support, reflection, feedback/exchange
Project outcomes:



effective tool for Personal Tutoring
engaging platform for Personal reflection
‘sharing’ as a catalyst for Reflective Practice

10. Objectives
Blog (further
reflection)
Peer/Tutor
feedback
Blog (initial
reflection)
Sharing
(comments)

11. Student views on the YAeP
67% felt it had been beneficial or very
beneficial to their personal development
‘It was a great way to see
how I had progressed and
whether I had kept to my
targets or not’
‘Thought it was helpful, but it
isn't something that I would
continue to use if I didn't
have to do it’
‘It gave me the freedom to
reflect on my development, in
my own way that was helpful to
me’
‘It is good for setting targets
and hence tracking
progress’

12. 83% felt the ePortfolio had been beneficial or
very beneficial as a feedback tool
‘This is probably the best bit
of the ePortfolio - getting
support and ideas from
other students, and
knowing that you're all "in
the same boat" and going
through similar experiences.
Everybody has something
to bring and encourage
others with.’
‘It was good to be able to give
feedback to others, and also
nice to receive comments from
my peers as that made me feel
that what I wrote was actually
being read.’

14. Embedding the YAeP:
Challenges and further steps
The YAeP – Implementation stage 2012-13
 Challenges for learners:






reluctance to fully engage with the tool
achieving a ‘deeper’ level of reflective learning
long-term benefits vs. short-term rewards
Challenges for tutors:
 overcoming resistance to change
 understanding learner-centred pedagogies
 coping with existing pressures
Next steps?

15. Questions?