| An overview of use |
Exemplar 1 - Midwifery Lifelong Learning Modules (including practice placement)
Institution: University of Bradford, (School of Health Studies, Division of Midwifery and Reproductive Health).
e-Portfolio context: Midwifery Lifelong Learning Modules exist as a strand running through the Midwifery degree programme. The majority of students are mature, and most of the programme is delivered through problem-based learning. A significant amount of the course is spent on practice placements.
The use of an institutional e-portfolio (PebblePad http://www.pebblepad.co.uk) to support the development of lifelong learning skills throughout a 3 year degree - BSc (Hons) Midwifery. The e-portfolio provides a personal space that underpins a holistic, integrative assessment that evidences the skills the student has developed throughout the year in both academic and placement contexts. These skills include reflection, planning, evidencing achievement of core skills including communication, collaboration and ethics, and development of personal autonomy. The Division of Midwifery and Reproductive Health adopt a problem based learning approach to curriculum design and delivery. As a core part of this approach they have developed a suite of lifelong learning modules that run through each of the three years of the course at levels 4, 5 and 6 (lifelong learning 1, lifelong learning 2 and lifelong learning 3 with 30-40 students per year on each module).
The students could also access the e-portfolio via mobile devices provided as part of the University’s partnership in the regional Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning on Assessment and Learning in Practice Placements (ALPS CETL http://www.alps-cetl.ac.uk/). Bradford use case number 10 reports on an evaluation of how mobile devices can enhance the experience of disabled students.
This example also formed part of our research into e-portfolios and developing autonomous learners as part of Cohort IV of the Inter/national Coalition for Electronic Portfolio Research (http://ncepr.org/, cohort IV http://ncepr.org/cohort4.html).
Dates of provision: 2006-2011 (being replaced by School-wide core module based on this successful experience).
Reason for implementation: University wide implementation of e-portfolios.
Purpose/s: PDP through the whole PBL course. Work Based Learning (Practice Placements), Assessment, Lifelong Learning, Personal Tutoring.
Learning processes involved: The e-portfolio is a site to reflect on the course as a whole, not just the specific module — it has a synoptic role. The students prepare action plans for specific aspects of their study and practice. Students complete a final reflective statement looking back at the year. Students are advised on models of reflection (eg Gibbs). Students reflect on collaborative working in their PBL groups. The assessment regime includes elements of self and peer assessment. Tutors provide formative feedback throughout.
Practice: fully developed.
Key staff involved: Jackie Haigh, Fiona Meddings and 10 to 12 Midwifery lecturers.
Links to examples
Year 1 and Year 3 Midwifery modules are included as part of research reported in this document. Four other examples of PDP use within modules are also included.
Year 2 Midwifery module case study with an example of impact on student learning.
Student story - Amy Cowling, a Higher Education Academy essay competition winner (2009) entitled 'What is your experience of using technology as part of your learning process? Please explain both the benefits and any pitfalls you have encountered.' - http://www.health.heacademy.ac.uk/rp/publications/studentessay/2009amycowling.doc.
Midwifery Lifelong Learning 1 – tutor story http://www.brad.ac.uk/lss/tqeg/pebblepad/cs/formresponse149187.html
Haigh, J and Currant, N (2010) Guiding, supporting and assessing midwifery students in clinical placements, Pebblebash 2010. http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/pp2010/cs04.pdf.
Nazeem, B (2010) Student Perspective – midwifery placement, Pebblebash 2010. http://www.pebblepad.co.uk/pp2010/ss08.pdf.
Mobile use of PebblePad e-portfolio - ALPS CETL Midwifery Section of the ALPS Casebook http://www.alps-cetl.ac.uk/documents/casebook_midwifery.pdf.
Related Bradford use cases
10. Mobile Enabled Disabled Students (MEDS).
15. School of Health Studies Core Modules.
Research links -
Cohort IV of the Inter/national Coalition of Electronic Portfolio Implementation http://ncepr.org/cohort4.html.
See the coalition’s emergent findings at http://ncepr.org/emergent_findings.html and
the University of Bradford Report (2010) on our 3 year research programme (2007-2010) at http://ncepr.org/finalreports/cohort4/University%20of%20Bradford%20Final%20Report.pdf (2010). (Year 1 and 3 Midwifery example above).