Reflect, Connect and Plan: an Integrated Learning Portfolio 4th European Conference on the First Year Experience 13th- 15th May University of Groningen, Netherlands Paul Squires, Dr Amanda Tinker, Nicola Redmore School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Huddersfield Integrated Learning Portfolio

The Integrated Learning Portfolio ….. is a module which acts as a spine which runs through the first year of a degree course to help students to understand their learning development. …..it promotes a self awareness which encourages students to plan their future learning and eventually their career path Integrated Learning Portfolio

Reviews revealed two main issues with the first year student experience on several degree courses;- Students viewed each of their modules as discrete study elements ……this fragment view of learning can be a generic danger of a modular course system Hardy (2002) Academic study skills modules were viewed as a bolt-on element to the curriculum ……… non-embedded skills teaching tends to be perceived negatively by many students Wall (2006) effectively students were not readily applying the knowledge and learning skills gained in one module to other modules Integrated Learning Portfolio

Our Plan To restructure the first year to encourage students to view their programme of study holistically To embed academic skills development as a core element of the curriculum. We decided: A year long spine Strong active links to live assignments in other modules reflective and critical thinking must be a very important element Integrated Learning Portfolio

First year ModulesGeneric Design Process Concept Development Research Visual/ Inspirational Contextual/historical Commercial/technical Design Development Studio/workshop Design Solutions Sampling production Textile Product Presentation Oral/written Retail environment Integrated Learning Portfolio Existing First Year Textile Design Modules Fabric Development & Design Fibre to Product Design Contextual Studies for Textiles & Fashion Visual Research Study Skills and IT

Oral presentations Integrated Learning Portfolio Module Fabric Development & Design Fibre to Product Design Contextual Studies for Textiles & Fashion Visual Research From Bolt-on to Integrated Academic/Company/Market Research Essay writing Referencing TeamworkTechnical Research Report writing Computer-aided Design (CAD)

Everything Interlinked Elements all entwined Integrated Learning Portfolio Expectations and Conceptualisation: Card Sort, Induction Week

ILP Assessment strategy: Reflecting on the Journey Integrated Learning Portfolio Reflection and process are central Formative Progressive Learning Journal (Blog) Four relevant journal entries in summative portfolio Summative 2000 word reflective report Cross-referenced to portfolio of relevant evidence, demonstrating specific areas of learning

Integrated Learning Portfolio

Working with: Wordle.com

Enjoyment Achievements Self awareness Action planning Pride Self management/ organisation Challenges Transition Motivation Technology Integrated Learning Portfolio Learning Journal Themes

Card Sort, End of Term 2 Group 1 What happens when you start a project you think about research and then as it goes down you start thinking about all your workshops and different techniques and then your concepts with your materials and technology and then you start to think about your design ideas and then obviously about you bring your research back into it, your market research, which links to your customers. And then like everything on the right is ongoing so youre constantly thinking about things and researching, independent learning and finding your own information out from the library and then design. Ongoing support if you need it, constant tutorials and your lectures …Theres no particular order; its just everything that you do. There youve got your assessment and all the different types of assessment like evaluating yourself at different stages of your project and then at the bottom weve got another kind assessment where you get your feedback and then you review and improve and the whole process starts again for the next project. Integrated Learning Portfolio

Group 7 When you start a tree its at the bottom and when it grows everything sprouts out from it. Its the research, theres just so much that comes from research and so much when you start and then you sprout out and you go..its like youre taking different directions, like if one of you is taking print, knit or weave youre going to sprout off into that section and theres so many other things that you can do its like with print you can do fashion and interiors … You just sprout out and grow and become beautiful. Integrated Learning Portfolio

Differences between first and second term card sort …you dont realise how things link at the beginning; you dont know whats expected of you so you dont know how to link things together so it has changed from the beginning in that sense Easier to structure because you know whats expected of you. You know how the week runs and you can fit all elements into, before you were just basing it on what youd done at college, which was that you did a bit of research but everything was more, you were supported by it. And now its more on your own; you do think a lot on your own. You do all the design work and its all fitting in with an instruction, a brief. Integrated Learning Portfolio

…….understand what you have actually learnt…..helped me see that I have been learning and not noticed [it] …… changed how I will record my learning in the future, ….additionally my formal writing technique has improved Helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses in depth; useful in documenting my learning development which has had an impact on the way I work. Interesting seeing how ideas/opinions changing space of year Useful - reminds me of things enjoyed/ didnt enjoy. Can help to think up new ideas and see strengths/flaws/improvements needed. Essential to keep learning new things Hard but interesting …..helped me to remember what I had done throughout the year and showed the progress and development made. …..helped me realise what to change next time I now understand how I have developed …..and shows my achievements……thoughtful and gives direction Ive found that reflecting on your work allows you to see how and what you can improve and where your strengths lie. I also find it a form of self encouragement and it shows how you are gradually growing. The Student Voice

Integrated Learning Portfolio The ILP module has helped students recognise and record their core learning skills. There is a beginning appreciation for the transition and blend of each module during their first year. I feel that this is a vital module that should be incorporated within all years of degree courses. Course Leader, Surface Design

Conclusion Integrated Learning Portfolio Students are more self aware – strengths/weaknesses and their learning development Greater appreciation of inter-relationship of all aspects of their first year study programme Better prepared for the next level

The Future Integrated Learning Portfolio Continuation into year 2 with year long module focusing on professional practice, placement and career planning.